Ash-throated Flycatchers are
fairly common, and in some places quite abundant, throughout most
of the western United States and Mexico. The breeding range
extends as far north as Oregon and Washington, as far east as
central Texas, and as far south as central Mexico. Ash-throated
Flycatchers are generalists when it comes to breeding habitat.
They breed in chaparral, mesquite thickets, oak scrub, dry plains
spotted with trees or cacti, deserts, and open deciduous and
riparian woodlands. Ash-throated Flycatchers arrive on the
breeding grounds as early as March in Texas and California, April
in New Mexico, and May in Washington. It is unknown how soon
after they arrive that they begin to breed, but egg dates show
that breeding can begin as early as mid-March in southern
California and May in Arizona and Texas. Ash-throated Flycatchers
are as indiscriminate about nest sites as they are about breeding
habitat. Nests are found 3 to 20 feet off the ground in natural
cavities, including tree cavities, hollow stumps, cacti,
abandoned woodpecker holes, and behind loose bark. Nests can also
be nestled in the dry floral stems of yucca or agave plants. The
Ash-throated Flycatcher House should be mounted 3 to 20 feet high
in open habitats. |
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| Compared to its close relative, the Great Crested Flycatcher, the Ash-throated Flycatcher is slightly smaller, and its coloring is more subtle. Male and female Ash-throated Flycatchers look alike. They are grayish brown on their back and head and have a bushy crest. The throat and breast are pale gray; the belly and undertail coverts are pale yellow. The tail is dusky brown above but rufous and brown on the underside. In juveniles, the rufous coloration extends the entire length of the tail. Ash-throated Flycatchers are fairly common, and in some places quite abundant, throughout most of the western United States and Mexico. The breeding range extends as far north as Oregon and Washington, as far east as central Texas, and as far south as central Mexico. Ash-throated Flycatchers are generalists when it comes to breeding habitat. They breed in chaparral, mesquite thickets, oak scrub, dry plains spotted with trees or cacti, deserts, and open deciduous and riparian woodlands. Like other flycatchers, Ash-throated Flycatchers forage for food by "hawking." From a perch, they make short flights, or sallies, to capture nearby flying insects. They seldom return to the same perch. Ash-throated Flycatchers also glean prey items, such as mites, millipedes, worms, and spiders from the ground and tree bark, and they occasionally eat small fruits and berries. Pair formation and territoriality are not well described in Ash-throated Flycatchers. Birds arrive on the breeding grounds as early as March in Texas and California, April in New Mexico, and May in Washington. It is unknown how soon after they arrive that they begin to breed, but egg dates show that breeding can begin as early as mid-March in southern California and May in Arizona and Texas. |
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