The American gray flycatcher, American grey flycatcher, or just gray flycatcher as it is known in North America, is a small, insectivorous passerine in the tyrant flycatcher family. It is common in the arid regions of western North America, especially the Great Basin. From sagebrush steppes to pinyon-juniper woodlands and ponderosa pine forests, this flycatcher forages for insects from shrubs or low tree branches.
Region
Western North America
Typical Environment
Breeds across the arid interior West, especially the Great Basin, in sagebrush steppes, pinyon–juniper woodlands, and open ponderosa pine stands. Often found in open, shrubby basins, foothills, and canyon margins with scattered trees or tall shrubs. During migration it uses riparian corridors, desert washes, and shrubby edges. Winters mainly in the Sonoran and adjacent desert regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, including Baja California and coastal thorn scrub.
Altitude Range
300–2500 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Among North America’s confusing Empidonax flycatchers, the American gray flycatcher is distinctive for its frequent downward tail-dips. It breeds largely in sagebrush country and nearby open woodlands, then migrates to the deserts of the Southwest and northwestern Mexico. Its soft, repeated che-bek song and a thin whitish eyering with a slight teardrop can aid identification. It often forages from low perches, sallying out to snatch insects and then returning to the same shrub or branch.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief sallies from low perches
Social Behavior
Pairs defend breeding territories and nest in shrubs or low trees, building a small cup nest. They are seasonally monogamous, with both adults feeding nestlings. Outside the breeding season they are generally solitary but may forage loosely with other small insectivores in winter.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Song is a soft, repeated che-bek or che-bup phrase delivered from a low exposed perch, often at dawn. Calls include a dry pik and soft whit notes. Vocalizations are modest in volume but persistent on territory.
Plumage
Plain gray to gray-brown upperparts with whitish underparts and a slight grayish wash on the breast; two pale wingbars and a weak but noticeable eyering with a teardrop extension. Feathers appear smooth and unpatterned overall, giving a clean, understated look typical of Empidonax flycatchers.
Diet
Primarily small insects such as flies, beetles, caterpillars, leafhoppers, and wasps. It hunts by sallying from a perch to catch prey in mid-air or by gleaning from foliage and outer shrub tips. In cooler months it may occasionally take small berries when insects are scarce.
Preferred Environment
Feeds from low to mid-height perches in sagebrush, desert scrub, and open woodland edges. Often forages along shrub-lined arroyos, canyon rims, and riparian thickets during migration and winter.
