The habitat consists of the ravines and the under-canopy in moist forests of birch, maple and hemlock.  The habitat stretches from the great lakes south over the eastern half of the United States.  Although not considered threatened, as forests have become fragmented their numbers have declined in certain areas.  Forests of less than 30 to 50 acres do not have the necessary under-canopy that the Acadian prefers and they are rare in these fragmented areas unless there is a nearby larger forested area.

The other species of the empidonax family were all thought to be the same species as the first that were identified in Acadia.   As time went by, different species were identified by differences in breeding habits, habitat and voice.  Oddly enough the Acadian Flycatcher does not visit Acadia, as the name was ironically attached to the southern most species.  In fact, if you should see a flycatcher south of the Mason-Dixon Line you can assume that it is most likely an Acadian Flycatcher.

Pairs tend to bond long term and the female weaves a nest from various plant materials and hangs it like a hammock between two branches away from the trunk and shaded by leafy branches above.  The photo above is a representative example.  Three to four brown spotted buff eggs are incubated by the female for about two weeks.  The young are cared for by both parents and leave the nest in about two weeks but will continue to be fed by the parents for an additional two weeks.  As with other birds the brown-headed cowbird will parasitize the nest, however as the Acadian Flycatcher prefers larger forests it is less vunerable than birds that prefer open areas.   Cowbird parasitism may become more prevalent as the habitat becomes more fragmented.

Length: 6 inches