Gray Flycatcher
Empidonax wrightii
Also known as: Grey Flycatcher, American Grey Flycatcher, American Gray Flycatcher
About This Species
Found in arid scrub and pinyon-juniper woodland across the western United States, where it perches low and sallies out after flying insects. The slow, downward wag of the tail after landing is the most reliable field mark separating it from very similar Empidonax flycatchers. Spring and summer, when birds are singing and actively defending territory in open juniper or sagebrush country, offer the easiest identification.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Keep a respectful distance from any bird holding territory, since repeated close approaches during the breeding season can interrupt feeding and nest defence.
- It is a widespread species without special protection status, but general wildlife disturbance laws still apply on the public lands where it is most often found.
- Using a scope or long lens instead of walking closer keeps its behaviour natural.
LCAvesPasseriformesTyrannidae
Seasonal Activity
152,004 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Tyrannidae
Photo
(c) taco_night, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by taco_night
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.