The Dusky Flycatcher is one of three confusing and similar Empidonax flycatchers found in the western part of the continent, with the other two being the Gray and Hammond's Flycatchers. The three species are often differentiated from each other by habitat, as each prefers different elevation zones. The Dusky Flycatcher is the "middle" species, found at middle elevations in mountains throughout western North America, with a preference for shrubby habitats or woodland edges.
Habitat
The preferred summer breeding habitat is a mix of trees and shrubs, and can include open forest with a shrubby understory, mountain chaparral, or brushy slopes with just a few scattered trees. In winter, can be found in riparian areas in Mexico.
Diet
Feeds almost exclusively on insects.
Behavior
Forages in typical flycatcher fashion, observing from a perch and flying out to catch passing insects. They will also sometimes hover to glean insects from foliages or twigs.
Nesting
June and July. The nest of a Dusky Flycatcher is built in the fork of a small tree or in a shrub, sometimes within 2 or 3 feet of the ground, but most typically from 5 to 15 feet up. The nest itself is a small cup built primarily of grasses, with a lining of finer grasses, down, animal hair, and/or moss. The female lays between 2 and 5 eggs, and she alone incubates them. Incubation is about 2 weeks, with the young fledging from the nest about 12-15 days after hatching.
Song
Variable songs of chirp, greeep, or pweet.
1Click here to hear the song of a Dusky Flycatcher
2Click here to hear the call of a Dusky Flycatcher
Migration
Summers at middle elevations in the mountains of the western United States and western Canada. Winters in Mexico
Interactive eBird Map
Click here to access an interactive eBird map of Dusky Flycatcher sightings
Similar Species
One of the Empidonax flycatchers, and thus...damned hard to differentiate from other Empidonax Flycatchers! Those most likely to be confused with Dusky Flycatcher include the following. Take the notes below with a bit of caution, as it can be extremely difficult to identify these species based on looks alone. Habitat and voice are often better ways to differentiate the species.
- Gray Flycatcher - Generally somewhat paler than a Dusky Flycatcher. Gray Flycatchers are often found in more open habitats with less vegetation than Dusky, which are often found in shrubby areas or woodland edges (such as bird above, found in a shrubby are of moderately high elevation in Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado).
- Hammond's Flycatcher - Habitat is one clue, as Hammond's Flycatchers are often found in evergreen forests, as opposed to the shrubby habitats of Dusky Flycatchers. Apparent tail length is also a clue, as Hammond's Flycatchers appear to have shorter tails than a Dusky Flycatcher. That is partially due to the length of the primary projections on the wings of a Hammond's Flycatcher, which are more pointed and extend further past the secondary wing feathers on a Hammond's Flycatcher, contributing to the appearance of a shorter tail.
Conservation Status
Numbers are generally stable, but may be declining in some locations. However, they are still found across a relatively broad geographic area, and are common in parts of their range. The IUCN considers the Dusky Flycatcher to be a species of "Least Concern".
Photo Information
June 15th, 2018 - Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado - Terry Sohl
Audio File Credits
1Ed Pandolfino. Recorded in El Dorado County, California on July 9th, 2018. Original recording and information from xeno-canto.
2Frank Lambert. Recorded in Los Angeles County, California on May 7th, 2015. Original recording and information from xeno-canto.
