Ash-throated Flycatcher, Myiarchus cinerascens
Ash-throated Flycatcher, Myiarchus cinerascens. Photograph taken within the greater Bahía de los Ángeles area, Baja California, January 2024. Photograph courtesy of George Flicker, Bahía de los Ángeles, Baja California. Identification courtesy of Mary & George Flicker, Bahía de los Ángeles.
Ash-throated Flycatcher, Myiarchus cinerascens. Photographs taken within the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Southern Arizona, March 2018. Photographs courtesy of Dr. Tom Bartol, Carlsbad, California.
Background and Identification
The Ash-throated Flycatcher, Myiarchus cinerascens, is a member of the Tyrannidae Family of Tyrant Flycatchers. This species is known for its subtle yet distinctive plumage and loud, varied calls. They primarily consume insects and seasonal berries and fruits as available. In Mexico, they are known as Atrapamoscas de Garganta Ceniza.
Adult Ash-throated Flycatchers are small in stature, with a total length of 19-21.5 cm. Sexes are similar in appearance, although males are slightly larger. They have a grayish-brown upper body, a pale gray throat and chest, and a yellowish belly. Their wings and tail feathers have rusty-orange edges, most noticeable in flight. Their crest is less pronounced than other flycatcher species, giving them a sleek profile.
Habitat and Geographical Range
Ash-throated Flycatchers are found in a variety of dry, open habitats. Their preferred environments include deserts, scrublands, open woodlands, and riparian zones. Ash-throated Flycatchers are high- temperature tolerant and do not need to drink water.
The Ash-throated Flycatcher is a migratory bird that occupies different ranges depending on the season. They are only found year-round in southeastern California, southern Arizona, Baja California, and Sonora. During the breeding season, they are commonly found in the southwestern United States, from California eastward to Texas and northward to Oregon and Nevada. In the Winter, they migrate south to Mexico and Central America. Geographically, they are found throughout Mexico except they are absent from the southern portions of the State of Veracruz and within the Yucatán Peninsula, at elevations up to 2,400 m (7,900 feet).
Common Misidentifications
The Ash-throated Flycatcher can be confused with other members of the Myiarchus family, especially within their overlapping ranges. One common misidentification is with the Brown-crested Flycatcher, Myiarchus tyrannulus, a larger bird than the Ash-throated Flycatcher. It has darker and more vibrant tail feathers and a more pronounced crest. Another similar species is the Great Crested Flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus, which has a more prominent yellow-colored belly and reddish-brown tail.
Conservation Status
From a conservation perspective the Ash-throated Flycatcher is currently considered to be of Least Concern with stable, widely distributed populations. This species benefits from a broad range of habitats and its adaptability to human-altered landscapes.