Similar Species
Hammond's Flycatcher
Hammond's Flycatchers look shorter tailed than Dusky Flycatchers because their primaries extend well beyond their secondaries. Hammond's are more frequently found in evergreen forests while Dusky's are in shrubby areas and forest edges.
© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 24, 2008Similar Species
Gray Flycatcher
Gray Flycatchers are generally paler than Dusky Flycatchers. They habitually wag their tails down and then up while Dusky Flycatchers occasionally flick their tails upwards.
© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 25, 2008Similar Species
Western Wood-Pewee
Western Wood-Pewees are larger than Dusky Flycatchers with a stronger peaked crown. Western Wood-Pewees perch in the open and repeatedly return to the same perch, a behavior not frequently seen in Dusky Flycatchers.
© Brian Hoffe | Macaulay LibraryAlberta, June 19, 2017Similar Species
Willow Flycatcher
Willow Flycatchers have brown backs while Dusky Flycatcher have more of a greenish tint on their backs. The white throat on Willow Flycatchers contrasts more strongly with the breast and head than on Dusky Flycatchers.
© Michiel Oversteegen | Macaulay LibraryAruba, October 16, 2016Main Species
Dusky Flycatcher
Small, round-headed flycatcher that appears to have a long tail. Grayish olive above with a faint yellow wash below on some individuals.
© Robert McNab | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, October 09, 2016Grayish olive above with pale wingbars and a white eyering. Primary feathers on perched birds are short. Breeds in willow thickets, aspen groves, and open evergreen forests.
© John Hanna | Macaulay LibraryIdaho, May 10, 2014Sometimes pumps its tail during aggressive interactions. Note the short primaries and longer-tailed look.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryMontana, June 01, 2001Small flycatcher with a grayish olive back and a pale grayish belly. The primary feathers are shorter than Hammond's flycatcher, giving it a long-tailed look.
© Matt Davis | Macaulay LibraryNevada, June 07, 2016Juvenile
Juveniles are pale gray with a yellowish bill. They leave the nest after about 15–17 days and often hang out together for the first few days.
© JB Peck | Macaulay LibraryIdaho, July 18, 2016Found in willow thickets, aspen groves, and open evergreen forests.
© Larry Arbanas | Macaulay LibraryTexas, May 02, 2008