The Dusky-capped Flycatcher is one of a group of three potentially confusing flycatcher species found in the southwestern United States. In some parts of southern Arizona and New Mexico, they can be found in the same areas as the similar Brown-crested Flycatcher and Ash-throated Flycatcher. The Dusky-capped Flycatcher can be differentiated from those species by its smaller size, brownish-gray tones on the head, and a much less colorful tail with a lack of the warm rufous tones found in the other two species.
Habitat
In the United States portion of its range, they are found in montane forests of oak or pine and oak, and in riparian forests. They can be found in a variety of forested habitats in their tropical range in Mexico and Central America.Diet
The Dusky-capped Flycatcher feeds primarily on insects, including beetles, grasshoppers, flies, moths, wasps, ants, caterpillars, and other arthropods. It typically captures prey by making short flights from a perch, but it also gleans insects from foliage and branches. Fruits and berries are eaten regularly, especially outside the breeding season, making it one of the more omnivorous members of the Myiarchus flycatcher group.Behavior
Forages by observing from a perch, and flying out to capture insects in mid-air, or by hovering and gleaning insects from foliage or branches of vegetation.Nesting
The nest of a Dusky-capped Flycatcher is built in a cavity of a tree, either an old woodpecker hole or a natural cavity. The nest itself is a mass of grasses, sticks, bark strips, roots, weeds, and leaves, lined with plant down, feathers, or other softer material. The female usually lays 4 or 5 eggs, and both parents help feed the young after they hatch. The young fledge after about 2 weeks.Song
The Dusky-capped Flycatcher gives a distinctive series of clear, whistled calls often rendered as whee-eep, along with repeated rising whistles and sharp contact notes. Its voice is typically softer and less harsh than that of many other Myiarchus flycatchers, and vocalizations are often the best way to identify the species in the field.Migration
The Dusky-capped Flycatcher shows a variety of migratory patterns across its extensive range. Many populations in Mexico, Central America, and South America are year-round residents, while birds breeding in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico migrate south after breeding to winter farther south in Mexico and Central America. Overall, the species is a short- to medium-distance migrant, with movements varying considerably by region.Interactive eBird Map
Click here to access an interactive eBird map of Dusky-capped Flycatcher sightingsSimilar Species
Ash-throated Flycatcher: The Dusky-capped Flycatcher is smaller and darker, with a dusky gray-brown head and less contrast between the throat and breast. Ash-throated Flycatchers appear paler overall, with a noticeably light gray throat and a brighter yellow belly.
Brown-crested Flycatcher: Brown-crested Flycatchers are substantially larger, with a heavier bill and a longer tail showing extensive rufous coloration. Dusky-capped Flycatchers are smaller, darker, and more compact, with less obvious rufous in the tail and a softer, more whistled voice.
