Empidonax
Genus of birds
title: "Empidonax" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["empidonax", "bird-genera", "birds-of-north-america", "taxa-named-by-jean-cabanis"] description: "Genus of birds" topic_path: "general/empidonax" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empidonax" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Genus of birds ::
| image = Alder Flycatcher From The Crossley ID Guide Eastern Birds.jpg | image_caption = Alder flycatchers, Empidonax alnorum | taxon = Empidonax | authority = Cabanis, 1855 | type_species = Empidonax pusillus Cabanis, 1855=Platyrhynchos virescens Vieillot, 1818 | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = See text
The genus Empidonax is a group of small insect-eating passerine birds in the tyrant flycatcher family, the Tyrannidae that are found in North and South America.
Taxonomy
The genus Empidonax was introduced in 1855 by the German ornithologist Jean Cabanis to accommodate a single species, Empidonax pusillus. This name is now considered to be a junior synonym of Platyrhynchos virescens that had been introduced in 1818 by Louis Pierre Vieillot for the Acadian flycatcher. The genus name combines the Ancient Greek εμπις/empis, εμπιδος/empidos meaning "gnat" or "mosquito" with αναξ/anax, ανακτος/anaktos meaning "lord" or "master". A large molecular phylogenetic study of the tyrant flycatcher family published in 2020 found that Empidonax was sister to the genus Sayornis containing the three phoebes.
Most of these birds are very similar in plumage: olive on the upper parts with light underparts, eye rings and wing bars. In the nesting season they may be distinguished by range, habitat and call; in other situations, particularly on migration and in winter, it may not be possible to be sure of specific identification.
Empidonax flycatchers often flick their wings and tails rapidly.
Euler's flycatcher, Lathrotriccus euleri and gray-breasted flycatcher, Lathrotriccus griseipectus were formerly placed in Empidonax, but differ anatomically and biochemically and are now placed in the genus Lathrotriccus.
Species
The genus contains 14 species: ::data[format=table]
| Image | Scientific name | Common name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| [[File:Empidonax flaviventris GJ2.jpg | 120px]] | Empidonax flaviventris | Yellow-bellied flycatcher |
| [[File:Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) (19049375859).jpg | 120px]] | Empidonax virescens | Acadian flycatcher |
| [[File:Empidonax alnorum CT2.jpg | 120px]] | Empidonax alnorum | Alder flycatcher |
| [[File:Southwestern Willow Flycatcher.jpg | 120px]] | Empidonax traillii | Willow flycatcher |
| [[File:Empidonax albigularis.jpg | 120px]] | Empidonax albigularis | White-throated flycatcher |
| [[File:Empidonax-minimus-001.jpg | 120px]] | Empidonax minimus | Least flycatcher |
| [[File:Hammond's Flycatcher - Sisters - Oregon S4E1410 (19236697615).jpg | 120px]] | Empidonax hammondii | Hammond's flycatcher |
| [[File:Empidonax wrightii Richard Crossley.jpg | 120px]] | Empidonax wrightii | American grey flycatcher |
| [[File:American Dusky Flycatcher (Empidonax oberholseri) (8079381798).jpg | 120px]] | Empidonax oberholseri | American dusky flycatcher |
| [[File:Pine Flycatcher (Empidonax affinis) (8079388221).jpg | 120px]] | Empidonax affinis | Pine flycatcher |
| [[File:Empidonax difficilis1.jpg | 120px]] | Empidonax difficilis | Western flycatcher |
| [[File:Empidonax-flavescens-001.jpg | 120px]] | Empidonax flavescens | Yellowish flycatcher |
| [[File:Buff-breastedFlycatcher-30APR2017.jpg | 120px]] | Empidonax fulvifrons | Buff-breasted flycatcher |
| [[File:Black-capped Flycatcher - Central Highlands - Costa Rica MG 7063 (26603418092).jpg | 120px]] | Empidonax atriceps | Black-capped flycatcher |
| :: |
References
References
- Cabanis, Jean. (1855). "Dr. J. Gundlach’s Beiträge zur Ornithologie Cuba's". Journal für Ornithologie.
- (1979). "Check-List of Birds of the World". Museum of Comparative Zoology.
- Jobling, James A.. "Empidonax". Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
- (2020). "The evolution of a tropical biodiversity hotspot". Science.
- (2019). "Tyrant flycatchers". International Ornithologists' Union.
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