STATUS: Common in southeastern United States.
HABITAT: Generally inhabits large trees along river banks, swamps, and bottomlands, as well as open stands of pines, live oaks, and mixed forests. In the South, prefers forests with abundant Spanish moss. Tends to utilize the upper canopy level of the forests.
NEST: In coastal areas, nearly always builds nest in clumps of Spanish moss. In areas with no Spanish moss, saddles nest on a horizontal branch. Locates nests 10 to 100 feet above the ground, generally far out from the tree trunk.
FOOD: Is a skillful "fly catcher," but gleans much of its food from leaves and branches; eats nearly all insects.
REFERENCES: Bull and Farrand 1977, Griscom and Sprunt 1979, Harrison 1975, Johnsgard 1979, Sykes in Farrand 1983, Terres 1982.