The eastern wood-peewee is a flycatcher. Like most local flycatchers, it is drab, but it has a sweet, plaintive whistle in two phrases, "peeeeaweee, peeahhh." It sits on open perches watching for insects, which it will attack in mid air. Occasionally it will drop to the ground for prey.

More photos after the break

Faint wing bars and a yellow lower bill are its only features; unfortunately it shares these same markings with several other small, drab flycatchers best distinguished by voice and habitat.

Its back is gray with just a tinge of green.

The dingy belly is slightly paler in the center and under the chin.