Dusky Flycatcher
The Dusky Flycatcher has a gray back with a slight olive tinge, buffy breast, light throat and its belly is a very pale yellow. It also has a narrow white eye ring, white wing bars and a long tail. Its song is similar to that of the Hammond's Flycatcher - a staccato series of chirps, se-lip, churp, treep and its call is a sharp whit.

The Dusky and Hammond's flycatchers, very similar in appearance and voice, are closely related and difficult to distinguish. The populations were probably separated when the ice fields of the North advanced and the forests were divided into western and eastern refuges. When the flycatchers returned to the newly forested northern half of the continent, each had developed differing habitat needs, allowing them to coexist without competing for nesting sites and food. The Dusky usually nests in the lower ranges of the forest, preferring chaparral, while the Hammond's chooses higher levels of tall fir trees.

The Dusky Flycatcher forages low over shrubby vegetation for flying insects. It builds its nest on upright or pendant twigs or in crotches of low shrubs or trees in relatively dry sites. It usually nests from 3 to 8 feet, but up to 40 feet, above the ground in willow, alder, aspen and other trees and shrubs.

The Dusky Flycatcher breeds from British Columbia and western South Dakota south to southern California, central Arizona and northern New Mexico. It winters south of the U.S.-Mexico border. It prefers woodlands containing tall trees and tall undergrowth, mountain chaparral and open, brushy coniferous forests.
Dusky Flycatcher Range Map

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