This species has a large rounded head and short tail. While all Empidonax flycatchers can have yellow bellies, the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher in fresh spring plumage shows extensive yellow on the underparts, including the throat. Upperparts are olive-green, slightly darker on the crown. The black wings show two strongly contrasting whitish or yellowish wing bars and fairly short primary projection. The eye ring is narrow but well-defined, and is often yellowish. An olive wash on the breast separates the yellow throat from the yellow belly. The bill is broad, but not particularly long, and has a completely yellow-orange or pinkish lower mandible. By late summer, this species appears worn and faded, losing most of the yellow coloring on the underparts. Juveniles show fresh plumage in autumn migration, with extensive yellow on the underparts and buffy wing bars.

Length: 13 (cm) Wingspan: 22 (cm)

Voice:

Song is a dull che-bunk. Call is an ascending whistled purree.

Habitat:

Nests in coniferous and mixed woodlands, bogs.

Behavior:

Often elusive, staying in heavy cover.

Feeding:

Captures insects in flight, either by flycatching or gleaning from undersides of leaves.