Ash-throated Flycatcher

Ash-throated Flycatcher

About the photographs

About the map

Play sound from this species

Menu

1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

A common flycatcher of open arid areas of the West, the Ash-throated Flycatcher nests in holes in trees, fence posts, and nest boxes.

Description

• Medium-sized bird, medium to large flycatcher.
• Long rusty tail.
• Short, bushy crest.
• Back brown.
• Throat and chest pale gray.
• Belly pale yellow.

• Size: 19-21 cm (7-8 in)
• Wingspan: 30-32 cm (12-13 in)
• Weight: 21-38 g (0.74-1.34 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes alike in plumage; male slightly larger.

Sound

Call a sharp "hwit" and "ha-wheer."

Conservation Status

Populations increasing.

Other Names

Tyran à gorge cendrée (French)

Cool Facts

• Unlike most members of its genus, the Ash-throated Flycatcher only occasionally uses snakeskin in its nest. Only 5% of nests examined contained reptile skin, but 98% had mammal hair. Rabbit fur was the most frequently used.

• The Ash-throated Flycatcher frequently uses man-made structures for nesting. It readily uses nest boxes, as well as pipes, fence posts, ledges under eaves or porches, and even in clothes hanging on a clothesline. The use of artificial structures may have offset the loss of natural nest sites by development, and may be responsible for an increase in numbers.

• The Ash-throated Flycatcher is a rare, but regular vagrant to the East Coast. Individuals turn up nearly every year, and have been found in all coastal states and provinces. Sightings are less frequent from inland areas in the East and Midwest.

Sources used to construct this page:

Cardiff, S. W., and D. L. Dittmann. Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens). In The Birds of North America, No. 664 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.