Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: FLYCATCHER, LEAST

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: AVES

Order: PASSERIFORMES

Family: TYRANNIDAE

Genus: EMPIDONAX

Species: MINIMUS

Taxonomic Authority: (BAIRD and BAIRD)

Taxonomy References: 001

Status

NONGAME

Status References: 004 , 044

Habitat Summary

"Occurs in openings in deciduous and mixed forests, along forest edge, and in shrublands. Prefer well-developed canopy and large, tall trees."

Primary Habitat: "Savanna/Shrub/Woodland matrix"

References: 020 , 021 , 022 , 025 , 026

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Common transient, casual summer visitant or summer resident *02,03*."

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
ADAIR ANDREW
ATCHISON AUDRAIN
BOONE BARRY
CALLAWAY BARTON
CAMDEN BATES
CASS BENTON
CLINTON BOLLINGER
COLE BUCHANAN
COOPER BUTLER
FRANKLIN CALDWELL
HOLT CAPE GIRARDEAU
JACKSON CARROLL
LAWRENCE CARTER
MADISON CEDAR
MILLER CHARITON
MISSISSIPPI CHRISTIAN
MONTGOMERY CLARK
PIKE CLAY
PUTNAM CRAWFORD
SHANNON DADE
ST. CHARLES DALLAS
ST. CLAIR DAVIESS
ST. LOUIS DEKALB
STODDARD DENT
STONE DOUGLAS
WAYNE DUNKLIN
GASCONADE
GENTRY
GREENE
GRUNDY
HARRISON
HENRY
HICKORY
HOWARD
HOWELL
IRON
JASPER
JEFFERSON
JOHNSON
KNOX
LACLEDE
LAFAYETTE
LEWIS
LINCOLN
LINN
LIVINGSTON
MACON
MARIES
MARION
MCDONALD
MERCER
MONITEAU
MONROE
MORGAN
NEW MADRID
NEWTON
NODAWAY
OREGON
OSAGE
OZARK
PEMISCOT
PERRY
PETTIS
PHELPS
PLATTE
POLK
PULASKI
RALLS
RANDOLPH
RAY
REYNOLDS
RIPLEY
SALINE
SCHUYLER
SCOTLAND
SCOTT
SHELBY
ST. FRANCOIS
STE. GENEVIEVE
SULLIVAN
TANEY
TEXAS
VERNON
WARREN
WASHINGTON
WEBSTER
WORTH
WRIGHT

References for distribution: 002 , 003 , 007 , 008 , 009 , 010 , 011 , 012 , 013 , 015 , 016 , 018 , 019 , 030 , 034 , 037 , 039 , 014 , 017 , 038 , 045

Distribution by Watersheds

Wyaconda R.
South Fabius R.
Miss. R. from Des Moines R. to MO. R.; and North R.
North Fork from Headwaters to South Fork
Salt R.
Cuivre R.
Dardenne Creek
Miss. R. from St. Louis to River Aux Vases
Meramec R.
Castor R. and Castor R. Diversion Channel
St. Francis R. from Headwaters to Wappapello Dam
St. Francis R. from Wappapello Dam to Arkansas Border
Little R.
Mo. R. from Iowa Border to Nishnabotna R.
Nishnabotna R.
Mo. R. from Nishnabotna R. to Nodaway R.
Nodaway R.
Platte R.
Northwest Corner of Jackson County
Grand R. from Headwaters to Shoal Creek
Grand R. from Shoal Creek to MO. R.
Chariton R. from Headwaters to Shuteye Creek
Chariton R. from Shuteye Creek to Mo. R.
Little Chariton R.
Osage R. from Headwaters to Warsaw, MO.
Sac R.
Pomme De Terre R.
South Grand R.
Osage R. from Warsaw to Bagnell Dam
Niangua R.
Osage R. from Bagnell Dam to Mo. R.
Mo. R. from Kansas City to Little Chariton R.
Mo. R. from Little Chariton R. to Gasconade R.
Mo. R. from Gasconade R. to Miss. R.
White R. above Tablerock Dam
James R.
White R. below Tablerock Dam and Little North Fork White R.
Black R.
Current R.
Eleven Point R.
Spring R.

Comments: "Likely to occur in units listed, based on county occurrence."

Distribution by Ecoregions

Central Till Plains, Mississippi River Alluvial Plains, Osage Plains, Ozark Highlands

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Bluestem Prairie/Oak Hickory Forest
Cedar Glades
Oak-Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory-Pine Forest
Southern Floodplain Forest
ALL

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Glaciated Plains
Glaciated Plains: Western
Glaciated Plains: Grand River
Glaciated Plains: Eastern
Glaciated Plains: Lincoln Hills
Big Rivers
Big Rivers: Upper Missouri
Big Rivers: Lower Missouri
Big Rivers: Upper Mississippi
Big Rivers: Lower Mississippi
Ozark Border
Ozark Border: Missouri River
Ozark Border: Mississippi River
Ozark
Ozark: Springfield Plateau
Ozark: Upper Ozark
Ozark: St. Francois Mountains
Ozark: Elk River
Ozark: White River
Ozark: Lower Ozark
Mississippi Lowlands
Mississippi Lowlands: Crowley's Ridge
Mississippi Lowlands: Lowlands
Osage Plains

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Terrestrial" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Aquatic Associations:

References for Aquatic Associations:

Habitat Types:

Shortleaf Pine Reproduction (0-3" dbh)
Limestone Glade
Wooded Riparian and Bottomland Hardwood
Fruiting Tree-Shrub
Eastern Red Cedar (70% + crown closure)
Eastern Red Cedar (30-70% crown closure)
Oak-Hickory Regeneration (0-3 years)

References for Habitat Types: 003 , 020 , 022 , 023 , 024 , 026 , 029 , 005

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Forest
Upland forest
Dry Forest
Dry-Mesic Forest
Mesic Forest
Upland Limestone/Dolomite Forest
Dry Limestone/Dolomite Forest
Dry-Mesic Limestone/Dolomite Forest
Mesic Limestone/Dolomite Forest
Upland Chert Forest
Dry Chert Forest
Dry-Mesic Chert Forest
Upland Sandstone Forest
Dry Sandstone Forest
Dry-Mesic Sandstone Forest
Mesic Sandstone Forest
Upland Sand Forest
Dry Sand Forest
Dry-Mesic Sand Forest
Mesic Sand Forest
Upland Igneous Forest
Dry Igneous Forest
Dry-Mesic Igneous Forest
Mesic Igneous Forest
Bottomland Forest
Dry-Mesic Bottomland Forest
Mesic Bottomland Forest
Wet-Mesic Bottomland Forest
Flatwoods
Savanna
Limestone/Dolomite Savanna
Chert Savanna
Sandstone Savanna
Sand Savanna
Igneous Savanna
Primary
Glade
Limestone Glade
Dolomite Glade
Chert Glade
Sandstone Glade
Shale Glade
Igneous Glade

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 020 , 024 , 025 , 026 , 027 , 029 , 005

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Carnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits 003

Adult Food Habits

Phytolaccaceae (pokeweed); Fruit/Seeds
Rosaceae (rose, cherry, plum, blackberry); Fruit/Seeds
Polygonaceae (buckwheat, rhubarb, smartweed); Fruit/Seeds
Caprifoliaceae (honeysuckle, elderberry); Fruit/Seeds
Foxtail grass; Fruit/Seeds
Lepidoptera (butterflies); Larva stage
Hemiptera (water bugs, water boatmen, stink bugs); Not Specified
Diptera (flies, midges, mosquitos, gnats); Not Specified
Hymenoptera (sawflies, ants, wasps, bees); Not Specified
Terrestrial Insects; Not Specified
Shrubs; Not Specified
Dicotyledoneae (dicots); Not Specified
Arachnids (spiders, ticks, mites, scorpions, daddy longlegs); Not Specified
Insects Insects; Not Specified
Ephemeroptera (mayflies); Not Specified
Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies); Not Specified
Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, mantids); Not Specified
Lepidoptera (butterflies); Adult Stage

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 023

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements:

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements:

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

References for resting juvenile niche requirements:

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Does not nest in missouri

References for feeding Adult niche requirements:

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Floodplain wetlands: remnant wetlands
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Edge: woodland/old field edge
Edge: woodland/grassland edge
Size of continuous forest stand specified in comments(00360)
Successional stage specified in comments(00370)
Forest openings specified in comments(00377)
Number and size of clearings specified in comments(00380)
Distance to forest opening specified in comments(00390)
Snags
Subcanopy closure specified in comments(00600)
Human association: public city parks
Human association: public residential parks
Human association: state and county parks
Isolation from humans specified in comments(00700)

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 041 , 042 , 020 , 024 , 025 , 026 , 027 , 028 , 032 , 036 , 040

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Floodplain wetlands: remnant wetlands
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Edge: woodland/old field edge
Edge: woodland/grassland edge
Size of continuous forest stand specified in comments(00360)
Successional stage specified in comments(00370)
Forest openings specified in comments(00377)
Number and size of clearings specified in comments(00380)
Distance to forest opening specified in comments(00390)
Snags
Subcanopy closure specified in comments(00600)
Human association: public city parks
Human association: public residential parks
Human association: state and county parks
Isolation from humans specified in comments(00700)

References for resting adult niche requirements: 020 , 024 , 025 , 026 , 027 , 028 , 032

Niche Requirement Summary

Distance to forest opening specified in comments(00390)
Does not nest in missouri
Edge: woodland/grassland edge
Edge: woodland/old field edge
Floodplain wetlands: remnant wetlands
Forest openings specified in comments(00377)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Human association: public city parks
Human association: public residential parks
Human association: state and county parks
Isolation from humans specified in comments(00700)
Number and size of clearings specified in comments(00380)
Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Size of continuous forest stand specified in comments(00360)
Snags
Subcanopy closure specified in comments(00600)
Successional stage specified in comments(00370)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
005 Perch on snags to spot prey *27*. In WI, used the following trees for foraging (in decreasing order of foraging success): corylus americana, betula papyrifera, quercus spp., pinus spp., acer spp., and populus tremuloides *28*
033 Arrives in MA near end of April.*22*
099 In MI study, occurred in dense aggregations of 3.06-8.71 birds/ha *32*

Life History Information

Migration patterns specified in comments(033)
Other life history information specified in comments(099)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: spring/fall/winter
Seasonal distribution in state: neotropical migrants
Foraging strategy: gleaning
Foraging strategy: hawking
Foraging strategy: flycatching
Foraging sites: air
Foraging sites: snags
Foraging sites: leaves of tree
Foraging sites specified in comments(005)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
005 Perch on snags to spot prey *27*. In WI, used the following trees for foraging (in decreasing order of foraging success): corylus americana, betula papyrifera, quercus spp., pinus spp., acer spp., and populus tremuloides *28*
033 Arrives in MA near end of April.*22*
099 In MI study, occurred in dense aggregations of 3.06-8.71 birds/ha *32*

References for life history: 003 , 021 , 022 , 026 , 027 , 028 , 032 , 045

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Agricultural - develop/maintain hedgerows
Agricultural - develop/maintain windbreaks
Forest - maintain early stage of ecological succession
Forest - maintain riparian habitats
Forest - develop/maintain edge (ecotones)
Forest - even age timber management
Forest - reforestation
Forest - other (specify in comments)

Beneficial Management References: 003 , 020 , 024 , 025 , 026 , 033

Adverse Managment Practices:

Water - stream channelization

Adverse Management References: 043 , 003

Comments on Management:
Beneficial to create forest openings.*20,26*. In KS study, used windbreaks greater than 1 ha in area *33* in PA study, were not seen on sites with deer density of 7.9 deer/sq. Km *35*. In VT study, 2 years after stream channelization, were more abundant along unchannelized portions of the stream than along channelized sections *43*.

References for Management Comments: 043 , 003 , 020 , 026 , 033 , 035

References

Reference Code Citation
001 American Ornithologists Union. 1957. Checklist Of North American Birds, 5th Ed. Lord Baltimore Press. Baltimore, Md. 691 Pp.
002 Easterla, D.A., M.B. Robbins and R.A. Anderson. 1992. Annotated Check-List Of Missouri Birds. The Audubon Society Of Missouri.
003 Unpb Wilson, Jim D. Mo Dept. Conserv. P.O. Box 180. Jefferson City, Mo 65102. (573)751-4115.
004 The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115.
005 Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp.
006 Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24.
007 Unpb Rathert, J. and J.D. Wilson. 1981. Missouri Summer 1981 American Birds Report. Mo Dept. Conserv. Po Box 180. Jefferson City, Mo 65102 (573)751-4115.
008 Unpb Cary, D.L. 1981. Bird Census Results - Lawrence County. Mo Dept. Conserv. 1110 S. College Ave. Columbia, Mo 65201. (573)882-9880.
009 Unpb Breeding Bird Survey. Jim D. Wilson. Mo Dept. Conserv. Po Box 180. Jefferson City, Mo 65102. (573)751-4115.
010 Birds Of Squaw Creek National Wildife Refuge. 1975. U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service. Rf-663560-2.
011 A Checklist Of Birds Of The August A. Busch Memorial Wildlife Area. 1980. Mo Dept. Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo.
012 Unpb Birds Of The Columbia Area. 1975. Mo. Dept. Conservation. 1110 S. College Ave. Columbia, Mo 65201 (573)882-9880.
013 Anderson, R. and P. Bauer. 1968. A Guide To Finding Birds In The St. Louis Area. Webster Groves Nature Study Society. 44 Pp.
014 Robbins, M. 1977. Summer Survey. Bluebird 44(2):19-22.
015 Magner, M. 1981. Great Day At Mingo N.W.R., and The List Shows It! Bluebird 48(2):20-21.
016 Dawson, R. 1971. Notes From 1970 Spring Meeting, Bluebird 38(1):7
017 Hilty, S. 1961. Spring Field Notes- St. Clair County. Bluebird 28(2):23.
018 Anderson, R. 1963. Summer Survey. Bluebird 30(3):16-23.
019 Dawson, R. 1969. 107 Peepul, 87 Species Of Berdz Attend Annual Meeting, Oct. 5-6. Bluebird 36(1). (Pages Not Numbered).
020 Macqueen, P.M. 1950. Territory And Song In The Least Flycatcher. Wilson Bull. 62:194-205.
021 Degraaf, R.M., G.M. Whitman, J.W. Lanier, B.J. Hill and J.M. Keniston 1980. Forest Habitat For Birds Of The Northeast. U.S.D.A.F.S. 598 Pp.
022 Bent, A.C. 1942. Life Histories Of North American Flycatchers, Larks, Swallows and Their Allies. U.S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 179. 555 Pp.
023 Beal, F.E.L. 1912. Food Of Our More Important Flycatchers. Usda Biol. Surv. Bull. #44. 67 Pp.
024 Hespenheide, H.A. 1971. Flycatcher Habitat Selection In The Eastern Deciduous Forest. Auk 88:61-74.
025 Johnston, D.W. 1971. Niche Relationships Among Some Deciduous Forest Flycatchers. Auk 88:796-804.
026 Breckenridge, W.J. 1956. Measurements Of The Habitat Niches Of The Least Flycatcher. Wilson Bull. 68:47-51.
027 Missouri Dept. Of Conservation and U.S. Forest Service. 1985. Management Of Snags And Cavity Trees In Missouri. Mo Cons. Comm, Jefferson City, Mo. 21 Pp.
028 Rogers, C.M. 1985. Foraging Success And Tree Species Use In The Least Flycatcher. Auk 102:613-
029 Grubb, M.M. and D.W. Magee. 1980. Importance Of Bottomland Hardwoods As Wildlife Habitat In An Urban Environment. Trans. N. Amer. Wildl. Nat. Res. Conf. 45:428-434,
030 Unpb Wilson, J.D. and B. Jacobs. 1988. The Distribution And Breeding Status Of The Birds Of Missouri (Preliminary Report). Mo Dept. Of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
031 Hodorff, R.A., C.H. Sieg and R.L. Linder. 1988. Wildlife Response To Stand Structure In Deciduous Woodlands. J. Wildl. Manage. 52:667-673.
032 Dellasalla, D. and D.L. Rabe. 1987. Response Of Least Flycatchers, Empidonax Minimus, To Forest Disturbance. Biol. Conserv. 41(1987):291-299.
033 Cable, T.T., R.L. Schroeder, V. Brack, Jr., and P.S. Cook. 1992. Summer Bird Use Of Kansas Windbreaks. Prairie Nat. 24:175-184.
034 Unpb Missouri Department of Conservation Heritage Database. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
035 Decalesta, D.S. 1994. Effect Of White-Tailed Deer On Songbirds Within Managed Forests In Pennsylvania. J. Wildl. Manage. 58:711-718.
036 Unpb Knutson, M.K. 1995. Birds Of Large Floodplain Forests: Local And Regional Habitat Associations On The Upper Mississippi River. Ph.D. Diss., Iowa State Univ., Ames. 128 Pp.
037 Jacobs, B. and J.D. Wilson. 1997. Missouri Breeding Bird Atlas 1986-1992. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Natural History Series No. 6. Jefferson City, Mo. 430 Pp.
038 Unpb Smith, Stephanie. Big Oak Tree State Park Species Occurrence Records. Big Oak Tree State Park, East Prairie, Mo. 573-649-3149.
039 Unpb Krone, M. 1998 Collector's Permit Report. Missouri Dept. of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102. 573-751-4415.
040 Unpb Pagen, R.W. 1999. Breeding And Post-Breeding Habitat Use And Detectability Of Songbirds In The Missouri Ozarks. M.S. Thesis, Univ. Of Missouri-Columbia. 108 Pp.
041 Humburg, D.D., K. Bataille, D.L. Helmers and D.A. Brunet. 1999. Wetland Ecology Studies In The Missouri River Floodplain: Evaluation Of Seasonal Habitat Use By Waterbirds On The Missouri River Floodplain Mo Dept. Conserv. Final Rept. Proj. W-13-R-53, Study 18, Job 4. 130 Pp.
042 Blake, J.G. and W.G. Hoppes. 1986. Influence Of Resource Abundance On Use Of Tree-Fall Gaps By Birds In An Isolated Woodlot. Auk 103:328-340.
043 Possardt, E.E. and W.E. Dodge. 1978. Stream Channelization Impacts On Songbirds And Small Mammals In Vermont. Wildl. Soc. Bull. 6:18-24.
044 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2021. Missouri species and communities of conservation concern checklist. Missouri Department of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. pp. 56.
045 Young, N. Personal communication. Big Muddy NFWR, 4200 New Haven Rd, Columbia, MO 65201; (573)441-2948.