Overview

Ash-throated Flycatcher: Medium flycatcher with gray-brown upperparts, pale gray throat and breast, and gray-brown tail with rufous highlights. The pale yellow belly distinguishes this species from other Myiarchus flycatchers. Bill, legs, and feet are black. Strong flight with shallow wing beats.

Range and Habitat

Ash-throated Flycatcher: Breeds as far north as Oregon and Washington, as far east as central Texas, and as far south as central Mexico. Preferred habitats include open woodlands, streamside thickets, oak scrub, dry plains spotted with trees or cacti, and deserts.

Breeding and Nesting

Ash-throated Flycatcher: Three to seven brown-streaked, white eggs are laid in a loose cup of grass, rootlets, and stems built in a natural tree cavity less than 20 feet above the ground. Sometimes nests in an abandoned woodpecker hole; may displace smaller birds from an occupied cavity. Nest is lined with fur, hair, and sometimes snakeskin. Female incubates eggs for about 15 days; often leaves nest for hours at a time, especially during the hottest part of the day.

Foraging and Feeding

Ash-throated Flycatcher: Feeds on insects, flying from perch to capture them in flight or taking them on the ground; occasionally eats fruits, berries, and small lizards.

Readily Eats

Meal Worms

Vocalization

Ash-throated Flycatcher: Distinctive call heard year-round is a rough "prrrt." During breeding season, sings a rolling, nasal "ka-brik ka-brik."

Similar Species

Ash-throated Flycatcher: Nutting's Flycatcher has darker yellow belly, olive-brown upperparts, orange mouth lining, and a different voice. Dark-capped Flycatcher is smaller with brighter yellow underparts, lacks rufous on tail, and has different voice.