American Grey Flycatcher
Empidonax wrightii
The American Grey Flycatcher (Empidonax wrightii) is a uncommon tyrant flycatcher found in 3 countries, weighing about 12 g. The American gray flycatcher, American grey flycatcher, or just gray flycatcher as it is known in North America, is a small, insectivorous passerine in the tyrant flycatcher family.
About the American Grey Flycatcher
The American gray flycatcher, American grey flycatcher, or just gray flycatcher as it is known in North America, is a small, insectivorous passerine in the tyrant flycatcher family. It is common in the arid regions of western North America, especially the Great Basin. From sagebrush steppes to pinyon-juniper woodlands and ponderosa pine forests, this flycatcher forages for insects from shrubs or low tree branches.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
American gray flycatchers are small birds, but larger than most Empidonax flycatchers. A typical adult measures 15 cm (5.9 in) in length, 22 cm (8.7 in) in wingspan, and 12.5 g (0.44 oz) in mass. Adults have pale gray upperparts, darker on the wings and tail, with a faint olive tinge after molting in fall. Underparts are whitish, but washed slightly with yellow in fresh plumage. They have white wing bars and an inconspicuous white eye ring. There is a pale supraloral band stretching above the base of the bill.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, December, with peak activity in May. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify an American Grey Flycatcher?
- American gray flycatchers are small birds, but larger than most Empidonax flycatchers. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is an American Grey Flycatcher?
- The American Grey Flycatcher is a tiny sized bird weighing about 12 g.
- Where can you see an American Grey Flycatcher?
- The American Grey Flycatcher occurs in 3 countries, including the United States, Mexico and Canada.
- What birds look similar to an American Grey Flycatcher?
- The American Grey Flycatcher is most easily confused with the Yellowish Flycatcher, the American Dusky Flycatcher and the Buff-breasted Flycatcher.
- Is the American Grey Flycatcher endangered?
- The American Grey Flycatcher is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the American Grey Flycatcher for real
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