Empidonax hammondii
(Hammond's Flycatcher)

Physical Description:
Size: 5-5.5" (13-14cm). This Empidonax flycatcher is olive-gray above with a light throat, and breast and yellowish belly. Thin white eyering and wing bars. Bill narrower and shorter than other Empids. Flicks wings and tail more vigorously than other Empids.

Similar Species- Most Empidonax flycatchers are so similar in appearance that it is nearly impossible to tell them apart be sight alone without a bird in hand. Luckily, their songs and calls along with habitat are good diagnostics.

Song:
A thin Zee-beek! Also a buzzy Tzurrek! Note a thin Pip!

Distribution:
Breeds from east-central Alaska and western Canada, south through northwestern U.S. to east-central California, eastern Nevada, Utah, northeastern Arizona, western Colorado and north-central New Mexico. Winters from southeastern Arizona, south through highlands of Mexico to portions of Central America.

Found in coniferous forests and woodlands. During migration and in winter, found in deserts and scrub, and in pine and pine/oak associations. In preliminary results of Idaho-Montana study, Hammond's Flycatchers were found to be old-growth associates in Douglas-fir/ponderosa pine forests.

Diet:
Eats insects such as beetles, moths, flies, bees, and wasps.

Ecology:
Builds cup-shaped nest in coniferous (sometimes deciduous) tree. Hunts from perch.

Reproduction:
Female incubates 2-4 eggs for 15 days. Young are tended by both adults, and leave nest 17-18 days after hatching.

Conservation:

Element Code:	ABPAE33080
Status:	Protected nongame species
Global Rank:	G5
State Rank:	S5
National Rank:	N5B,NZN

Important State References:
Hejl, S.J. and R.E. Woods. 1990. Bird assemblages in old-growth and rotation-aged Douglas-fir/Ponderosa pine stands in the northern Rocky Mountains: a preliminary assessment. Pp. 93-100 in D.M. Baumgartner and J.E. Lotan, eds., Proceedings of a Symposium on Interior Douglas-fir: the species and its management. Feb. 27, 1990, Spokane WA.