Birds Active during the day

Hammond's Flycatcher

Empidonax hammondii

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

A pint-sized dynamo of the western pines, Hammond's Flycatcher is known for its tireless energy and aerial precision. This high-canopy specialist is a gem for any backyard observer with the right vantage point.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 4.7-5.9 in (12-15 cm); Wingspan: 8.3-9.1 in (21-23 cm); Weight: 0.3-0.4 oz (8-12 g)

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Colors

Grayish-olive upperparts, whitish throat, and a pale yellow wash on the belly; two distinct white wing bars and a thin white eye-ring.

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Key Features

Small, dark bill with a shorter lower mandible
Distinct almond-shaped white eye-ring
Frequent and rapid flicking of both wings and tail simultaneously
Long primary feathers (wingtips) that extend well down the tail

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 6-10 AM, 4-7 PM

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Season May-August

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Diet Strictly insectivorous; they primarily 'hawk' for flying insects like flies, beetles, and moths, but will occasionally 'glean' larvae or spiders from the undersides of needles and leaves.

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Habitat Mature coniferous and mixed forests, particularly those dominated by fir, spruce, and hemlock at higher elevations.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Hammond's Flycatcher Live?

Native to the mountainous regions of western North America, Hammond's Flycatcher is a specialist of the great evergreen corridors. Its breeding territory stretches from the boreal forests of central Alaska and the Yukon down through the Pacific Northwest and the Rocky Mountains into California and New Mexico. During the winter months, these tiny birds undertake a significant migration to the highland forests of Mexico and northern Central America, seeking out climates that support a year-round supply of insects.

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6 Countries

3.1M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

US United States CA Canada MX Mexico GT Guatemala HN Honduras SV El Salvador

Elevation range

0 m1,000 m2,000 m4,000 m

600 m – 3,000 m

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

Hammond’s Flycatchers are the restless acrobats of the high canopy. They spend most of their time on high, shaded perches within mature evergreen trees, from which they launch sudden, twisting aerial sorties to snatch insects from the air. Unlike many other flycatchers that return to the same branch, Hammond's often moves to a new spot after each hunt, making them a dynamic subject to track.

They are famously high-strung, characterized by a near-constant twitching or flicking of their wings and tail. While they are territorial and vocal during the spring and summer breeding months, they tend to be more secretive during migration. They rarely descend to the ground, preferring to stay within the middle to upper layers of the forest where their favorite prey resides.

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Camera Tips

Capturing a Hammond's Flycatcher requires a strategy centered on height and patience. Because this species is a high-canopy specialist, a ground-level camera will almost never see them. If you have tall conifers on your property, try mounting your camera 10 to 15 feet high on a trunk, facing a horizontal, dead branch that has a clear flight path around it. These 'dead-branch perches' are favorite lookout spots for flycatchers.

Use a camera with a very fast trigger speed (0.2 seconds or less) because these birds are incredibly quick; a slow trigger will result in a frame full of empty air. Setting your device to 'burst mode' or 'photo+video' is highly recommended to catch the split-second wing-flicking behavior that is vital for identifying the species. Since they are attracted to the sound of water, placing a high-elevation bird bath or a misting feature within view of your camera can lure them down from the highest branches during hot summer afternoons.

Lighting is your best friend for identification. Try to position the camera so the perch is illuminated by morning sun, which will highlight the subtle olive-green tones of their back and the specific shape of their eye-ring. Avoid heavily backlit areas, as flycatchers quickly turn into dark silhouettes, making them indistinguishable from other species. If you are using an AI-powered camera, ensure the firmware is updated to recognize small passerines, as their movement can sometimes be mistaken for wind-blown leaves.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Hammond's Flycatcher.

Dusky Flycatcher

Has a longer bill with more orange on the lower mandible and shorter wingtips; prefers more open scrub and brushy habitats.

Gray Flycatcher

Distinguished by its downward tail-wagging motion, whereas Hammond's flicks its tail upward.

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Frequently Asked Questions

They are most active in the early morning, roughly from sunrise until 10 AM, when insect activity is high and they are most vocal. You may also see a second peak of activity in the late afternoon before sunset.

The best way to attract them is to maintain mature coniferous trees and avoid using pesticides, which ensures a healthy population of the insects they eat. A misting water feature or a high-placed bird bath can also entice them to descend from the canopy.

They are strictly insectivores, dining on a variety of flying insects including beetles, flies, moths, and winged ants. They hunt by 'hawking,' which involves flying out from a perch to catch a bug mid-air and returning to a branch.

They are less common in traditional suburban lawns and more frequent in properties that border mature forests or contain large evergreen trees. They are most likely to be seen in suburban yards during their spring and fall migration.

Look at the bill and the wings. Hammond's has a noticeably smaller, darker bill and longer wingtips (primary projection). Hammond's also tends to prefer higher elevations and denser coniferous forests than the Dusky Flycatcher.

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