STATUS: Common.
HABITAT: Generally inhabits moist, forested regions of mixed hardwoods of beech, maple, hickory, and oak with dense undergrowth. In the Southeast, also inhabits cypress-gum swamplands.
SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Low, dense, deciduous woody vegetation.
NEST: Builds a cuplike nest, usually in a fork of saplings, shrubs, or in herbaceous vegetation, less than 5 feet above the ground.
FOOD: Primarily eats insects, and some spiders. Is an expert "flycatcher."
REFERENCES: Armistead in Farrand 1983c, Bent 1953b, Griscom and Sprunt 1979, Odum 1931.