American Grey Flycatcher

Identification

The Gray Flycatcher is a small passerine, larger than most Empidonax flycatchers but still compact at 15 cm in length. Adults display pale gray upperparts with a faint olive tinge after fall molt, darker wings and tail, and whitish underparts washed with yellow in fresh plumage. Look for white wing bars, an inconspicuous white eye ring, and a pale supraloral band above the bill base. Relative to other North American Empidonax species, this flycatcher has a notably long, narrow bill, an elongated tail, and a paler mandible.

The most reliable field mark is the bird's unique downward tail wag—unlike other Empidonax species that flick their tails upward. Males deliver a strong two-syllable song described as "chuwip" or "wilip," often with inserted higher-pitched "teeap" or "seep" notes. Both sexes give dry "pit" or "wit" calls. Juveniles are similar to adults but show stronger olive and yellow tones with buffy wing bars and brownish breasts.

Range & Habitat

The Gray Flycatcher breeds across the arid regions of western North America, from southernmost British Columbia through central Washington, eastern Oregon and California, east across Nevada, southern Idaho, Utah, and northern Arizona to southwestern Wyoming, western Colorado, and northwestern New Mexico. It winters in Baja California Sur, southeastern Arizona, and central Sonora to central Oaxaca, with small numbers in western Texas and southern California. Migration takes approximately seven weeks each direction, with birds arriving on breeding grounds from mid-April to mid-May and departing between mid-August and mid-September.

The species favors sagebrush steppes and open woodlands, commonly associating with bitterbrush, rabbitbrush, mountain-mahogany, juniper, pinyon pine, and ponderosa pine forests. Breeding habitat requires shrubland, open woodland, or forest with a bare understory. During migration, birds exploit riparian areas with willows, oaks, and mesquite. Winter habitat consists of arid open and semi-open areas with scrub and scattered trees.

Behaviour & Diet

This insectivorous flycatcher forages by waiting on an open perch—typically a shrub or low tree branch—and flying out to snatch passing insects mid-flight. Less commonly, it hovers to glean prey from foliage or bark. Most food is taken in flight or from the ground, though fruit may supplement the diet in winter. The diet presumably consists entirely of insects and other small invertebrates.

Gray Flycatchers are territorial during breeding season. Males establish territories and attract females through vocalizations and displays. The species appears monogamous, though extra-pair copulations may occur. Females build bulky, less-compact nests from grass stalks and bark strips, lined with wool, hair, feathers, or soft grasses. Nests are typically placed 1–6 meters above ground in the crotch of branches or on larger limbs in sagebrush, bitterbrush, junipers, or pines.

Best Time & Places to See It

Visit the Great Basin and surrounding arid regions during the breeding season from mid-May through August for the best viewing opportunities. Key areas include sagebrush steppes throughout Nevada, Utah, and Idaho, as well as pinyon-juniper and ponderosa pine woodlands in Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. Early morning is ideal, as males are most vocal during establishment and courtship.

During migration in spring (late April to mid-May) and autumn (mid-August to mid-September), search riparian corridors with willows and oaks, where birds concentrate during stopover. Winter birders in the southwestern United States should check scrubby arid areas in Arizona and southern California, though the species is less common in winter.

Photography Tips

The Gray Flycatcher's small size and preference for exposed perches make it an accessible subject compared to many flycatchers. Position yourself with morning light to capture the pale gray plumage and subtle olive tones. Focus on open-perch foraging behavior—the bird's habit of waiting conspicuously before sallying for insects provides excellent photographic opportunities. Use a fast shutter speed to freeze mid-flight insect captures.

The distinctive downward tail wag is a diagnostic behavioral photograph worth capturing. This behavior, unique among Empidonax flycatchers, separates the Gray Flycatcher from confusing species in the field and makes for compelling documentation. Patience at a productive sagebrush patch will reward you with multiple opportunities to capture this subtle but characteristic movement.