Measurements
Both Sexes
- Length
- 5.5–5.9 in
14–15 cm - Wingspan
- 8.7 in
22 cm - Weight
- 0.4–0.5 oz
11–14 g
Other Names
- Moucherolle gris (French)
- Mosquero gris (Spanish)
Cool Facts
- The similarity of Gray and Dusky flycatchers has caused confusion for a long time. In fact, the specimen designated as the "type" for Dusky Flycatcher was actually a Gray Flycatcher.
- The Gray Flycatcher was not recognized as breeding in the United States until the early 20th century. Before that time it was thought to breed in northern Mexico and to wander northward in the fall.
Habitat
Open Woodland
Sagebrush, pinyon pine and juniper, or open ponderosa pine forests.
Food
Insects
Flying insects.
Nesting
Nest Placement
Shrub
Behavior
Flycatching
Takes insects on the wing or from the ground; perches on dead branches and twigs between forays.
Conservation
Least Concern
Relatively common and possibly increasing.
Credits
- Sterling, J. C. 1999. Gray Flycatcher (Empidonax wrightii). In The Birds of North America, No. 458 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.