Empidonax hammondii
The Hammond's Flycatcher lives higher in the mountains than other Empidonax flycatchers, commonly nesting up to 10,000 ft. (3000 m) in the Rockies. It tends to prefer conifer stands greater than 20 acres (8 ha) in size and at least 80 years of age. Because of modern forestry practices, logging might affect the stability of this species's populations, and it might become increasingly dependent on our national parks for habitat preservation. Empidonax is a wonderful name for these confusing, but endearing, birds-it means 'lord of the mosquitoes.' William Hammond, after whom this Empid is named, was an army surgeon who sent animal specimens from western North America to the Smithsonian Institution. |
I.D.: Sexes similar: olive-brown upperparts; 2 white wing bars; distinct, light eye ring; gray face; dark lower mandible; light gray throat; dark tail with gray outer edge. Size: L 51/2 in. (14 cm). Range: uncommon to common migrant and breeder in the Rockies. Habitat: coniferous forests, especially stands of mature spruce-fir, in the montane and the subalpine. Nesting: on a limb in a coniferous tree; small cup nest is made with plant fibers, leaves and grass and lined with feathers and grass; female incubates 3-4 eggs for up to 15 days. Feeding: flycatches and hover-gleans vegetation for insects. Voice: Male: quick, whistled tse-beek, seweep sup seep or peek. Similar Species: Willow Flycatcher: no eye ring. Least Flycatcher: light lower mandible; call is che-bec. Cordilleran Flycatcher: yellow underparts. Dusky Flycatcher: practically indistinguishable in the field, except for its deciduous forest habitat. |
