Tyrant Flycatchers and Allies
Myiarchus cinerascens
The Ash-throated Flycatcher is a slender, medium-sized bird of arid regions in western North America. Its muted plumage provides camouflage within its dry, open woodland habitats. Often detected by its distinctive calls, this flycatcher exhibits a curious head-tilting behavior while perched.
Typical adult measurements.
Individuals and populations vary.
01 / The telltale details
Start with shape and behavior. Then look for the smaller details.
Grayish-brown back and head with a slightly peaked crest, pale gray throat and breast, and a pale yellow belly.
Brown wings with two whitish wingbars and cinnamon-colored edges on the primary feathers.
The underside of the tail shows a broad cinnamon stripe down the center, bordered by brownish-gray, with a brownish-gray tip.
Possesses a narrow, dark bill and typically maintains an erect posture while perched.
02 / A place in the world
This species favors dry, open habitats including desert scrub, pinyon-juniper woodlands, oak woodlands, and riparian areas in arid and semi-arid regions. They can also be found in sparsely vegetated deserts.
Breeds across the western United States, from south-central Washington to central Texas, and south through northern and central Mexico. Non-breeding individuals can be found from southern California and Arizona to northern Central America.
Ash-throated Flycatchers are short-distance migrants. Most populations breeding in the U.S. migrate south for the winter, typically to southern Mexico and Central America, though some remain year-round in southern California and parts of Mexico.
03 / Listen a little closer
Vocalizations include a unique "ka-brick" call and a variety of gurgling, burry notes.
04 / The life behind the feathers
Primarily consumes arthropods, including flies, bees, caterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers, moths, and spiders. They also eat fruits and berries, especially in winter, and occasionally small reptiles or mammals.
These flycatchers typically forage by sallying out from a perch to catch insects in mid-air. They also hop between perches, scanning for prey on leaves and twigs.
A secondary cavity nester, it utilizes natural tree cavities, old woodpecker holes, or even human-made structures like fence posts, mailboxes, and pipes. Nests are cup-shaped, built by both sexes, and lined with soft materials like mammal hair and feathers.
Often perches with an erect posture, sometimes with a slightly peaked crest. They may lean forward and move their heads up and down or side to side, particularly when agitated or curious.
One more reason to pay attention
Ash-throated Flycatchers can obtain all necessary water from their diet of insects and spiders, making them well-suited to dry environments.
They are opportunistic nesters, using a wide variety of natural and artificial cavities, including unusual locations like trousers on a clothesline.
Unlike most of its genus, the Ash-throated Flycatcher rarely incorporates snakeskin into its nest, preferring mammal hair, particularly rabbit fur.
05 / An eye for the difference
The Great Crested Flycatcher has a stronger gray breast and a brighter yellow belly compared to the Ash-throated Flycatcher's more muted colors.
The Brown-crested Flycatcher is generally larger and has a more prominent crest and a stronger rufous wash in the tail.
The Western Kingbird is slightly larger, has a gray back (not brown), and an all-black tail, lacking the rufous in the Ash-throated's tail.
AI-assisted species research. Prepared September 2026. Details can vary across regions and populations.