Overview:  The willow flycatcher (WIFL) ranges throughout the western states as five seperate races or subspecies.  The southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) has suffered the most extreme losses to the extent that it was listed as an endangered species (subspecies) in 1996.  Water is the most critical issue in the Southwest and once lush riparian areas have been besieged by a host of threats including non-native species invasion, grazing, channelization and damming of free flowing rivers and cowbird parasitism.  The situation in the Southwest is not improving and willow flycatcher populations across the West are facing serious declines as riparian areas are compromised by the aforementioned threats.  The species was Blue Listed (Audubon designation for noticeable noncyclic population decline) in 1980-82 and designated as a species of concern in 1986.

This bird is an incredible aerialist and its latin name means "king of the gnats" which refers to its skill at conquering the insect kingdom.  While a master at picking off insects on the wing it supplements its diet with berries in the fall and winter.  The willow flycatcher has very strict habitat requirements and will not be found far from a thicket of willows, its favorite nesting substrate.  The WIFL is a common cowbird host which lowers reproductive rates and accelerates population declines.  Trapping and euthanizing cowbirds is becoming a common practice in some areas in order to limit the amount of parasitism.  Fencing riparian areas and the cessation of poisoning and removal of riparian willows have helped some local populations to survive.  This bird is one of many indicator species whose decline indicates the loss of these once abundant riparian areas, which serve as an extremely important resource to so many species, including human beings.

Distribution:  Willow flycatchers can be found locally throughout Washington, Oregon and Idaho.