Species BirdsDusky Flycatcher

Dusky Flycatcher

Empidonax oberholseri

CommonBird
Illustration of Dusky Flycatcher (Empidonax oberholseri)

The Dusky Flycatcher is a gray-green Empidonax of open mountain shrubs and forest edges in the Great Basin and Rocky Mountains. It is nearly identical to Hammond's Flycatcher but is best identified by habitat — forest edges and open shrubs — and its distinctive call note. It was described as a separate species only in 1932.

Habitat
Mountain shrubs, chaparral, and open forest edges of western North America
Diet
Insects caught in aerial sallies
How common
Common

Best time to see a Dusky Flycatcher

The best time to see a Dusky Flycatcher is May–July, when about 64% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 1,255 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Dusky Flycatcher? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Dusky Flycatcher sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Dusky Flycatcher? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Dusky Flycatcher is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love birds? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More birds

Dusky Grouse
Dusky Grouse
Dendragapus obscurus
Eared Grebe
Eared Grebe
Podiceps nigricollis
Eastern Bluebird
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
Eastern Kingbird
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
Eastern Meadowlark
Eastern Meadowlark
Sturnella magna
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
Eastern Screech-Owl
Eastern Screech-Owl
Megascops asio
Eastern Towhee
Eastern Towhee
Pipilo erythrophthalmus