Empidonax wrightii
adult
The Gray Flycatcher has rather short wings and a relatively large head and eyes. The sexes are similar. Adults have a gray head, neck, and back; the underparts are pale gray, palest on the throat and belly. The head has a pale eyering, and the base of the bill’s lower mandible is dull orange-pink with a contrasting dark tip. The wings are dark overall but with two bold pale wingbars. Juveniles are similar to adults but overall the plumage has a buffish wash.
The Gray Flycatcher is present as a breeding species in western interior North America from April to August. It spends the rest of the year mainly in Mexico. It usually adopts an upright posture when perched, pumping its tail up and down. It undertakes flycatching forays and also picks insects from foliage while hovering.
adult
FACT FILE
LENGTH 6 in (15 cm)
FOOD Insects and other invertebrates
HABITAT Pinyon pine (Pinus spp.) woodland and sagebrush (Artemisia spp.)
STATUS Locally common summer visitor
VOICE Song is a repeated chi-wip. Call is a sharp whit
