The Eastern Wood-Pewee is a medium-sized flycatcher of deciduous forests whose slow, plaintive 'pee-a-wee' whistle is one of the defining sounds of summer woodlands. It is nearly identical to the Western Wood-Pewee and best distinguished by range and voice. It builds a compact, lichen-decorated cup nest on a horizontal tree limb, blending in so well the nest is nearly invisible.
Best time to see a Eastern Wood-Pewee
The best time to see a Eastern Wood-Pewee is May–August, when about 67% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 21,160 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Eastern Wood-Pewee? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Eastern Wood-Pewee sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Eastern Wood-Pewee? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.
Get HuckGet an alert when a Eastern Wood-Pewee is spotted
Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.
Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.
Love birds? Get Huck field notes
Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.