American Grey Flycatcher

The American gray flycatcher, known scientifically as Empidonax wrightii, is a small insectivorous bird belonging to the tyrant flycatcher family. It is distinguished by its pale gray upperparts and whitish underparts, with a faint olive tinge post-molt. The wings and tail are darker, and the bird sports white wing bars and a subtle white eye ring. A pale supraloral band is present above the bill's base. This species is larger than most in its genus, with adults measuring approximately 15 cm in length, 22 cm across the wings, and weighing around 12.5 g.

Identification Tips

To identify the American gray flycatcher, look for its long, narrow bill, long tail, and the pale mandible that extends for much of its length. Juveniles resemble adults but have more pronounced olive and yellow tones, buffy wing bars, and brownish breasts. The species is notorious for its unique downward tail wag, a behavior that sets it apart from other Empidonax species, which typically flick their tails upward.

Habitat

This flycatcher thrives in arid regions, from sagebrush steppes to pinyon-juniper woodlands and ponderosa pine forests. It prefers habitats with a bare understory and is often found in areas dominated by sagebrush, bitterbrush, rabbitbrush, mountain-mahogany, juniper, pinyon pine, and ponderosa pine.

Distribution

Breeding ranges from southern British Columbia through central Washington, Oregon, California, and extends east across Nevada, southern Idaho, Utah, northern Arizona, southwestern Wyoming, western Colorado, to northwestern New Mexico. They winter in Baja California Sur, southeastern Arizona, central Sonora to central Oaxaca, with some in western Texas and southern California.

Behaviour

The American gray flycatcher is territorial during breeding, with males establishing territories to attract females through song and displays. They are presumed monogamous, though extra-pair copulations may occur. The species is known for its downward tail wag, which is a distinctive behavior among its genus.

Song & Calls

The male's song is a robust two-syllable note, described as "chuwip" or "wilip," with a weaker, higher-pitched "teeap" or "seep" sometimes inserted. Both sexes emit a dry "pit" or "wit" call, with females calling frequently during foraging or nest material collection.

Breeding

Nests are bulky and less compact than those of other Empidonax flycatchers, built by the female from grass stalks, bark strips, and lined with soft materials. They are placed 1–6 m above ground in sagebrush, bitterbrush, junipers, or pines. Clutch size is typically three or four eggs, with incubation lasting about two weeks. Chicks are altricial and fledge approximately 16 days after hatching.

Similar Species

The American gray flycatcher is morphologically similar to the American dusky flycatcher (Empidonax oberholseri), which has caused taxonomic confusion in the past.

Diet and Feeding

The diet is presumed to consist entirely of insects and other small invertebrates, with fruit possibly consumed in winter. Prey is typically caught in flight or from the ground, with the bird waiting on an open perch to launch at passing insects or occasionally gleaning prey from foliage or bark.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List classifies the American gray flycatcher as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without significant immediate threats to its survival.