Empidonax hammondii
adult
Hammond’s Flycatcher has relatively long wings and a proportionately large head and eyes. The sexes are similar. Adults have a gray head and neck, grading to gray-green on the back. The underparts are pale gray, palest on the throat; the pale belly has a faint yellow flush. The wings are dark overall with two pale wingbars. There is a white eyering, boldest behind the eye, and the bill is mainly dark but with a subtle orange base to the lower mandible. Juveniles are similar to adults but the wingbars are buff, not white, and the color at the base of the lower mandible is often bolder.
Hammond’s Flycatcher is present as a breeding species from April to August, its range being western North America. It spends the rest of the year mainly in Central America. The species is very active and on the move much of the time, cocking its tail and flicking its wings as it goes.
adult
FACT FILE
LENGTH 5.5 in (14 cm)
FOOD Insects and other invertebrates
HABITAT Open conifer forests, often in mountains
STATUS Locally common summer visitor
VOICE Song is a disyllabic tch-wip. Call is a sharp whit
