Bird of the Month: Hammond's Flycatcher
Written by Andy McCormick
Hammond’s is a common western flycatcher which prefers shady forest areas under a closed canopy. Birding in this type of habitat can be challenging and as result forest birds in general tend to be undercounted (Terborgh). However, learning about this forest dweller may encourage birders to create opportunities to explore the woods to see a Hammond’s Flycatcher.
Their preferred forest habitat is one key to separating this flycatcher from others in the genus Empidonax, which means mosquito or gnat master from the Greek, empid, for mosquito or gnat, and anax, for master or lord. Reference is to its eating habits of catching insect on the fly (Holloway). The birds in this genus can be confusing. “Their plumages are characterized by shades of green, brown, buff and off-white, with darker wings and tails. Most have wing bars and eye rings” (Alderfer).
BEST IDENTIFIED BY VOICE
Hammond’s flycatcher
Scientific Name: Empidonax hammondii
Length 5.5 in
Wingspan 8.75 in
Weight 0.35 oz
AOU Band code HAFL
Because of the difficulty of visual identification, like most empids, Hammond’s Flycatcher is best identified by voice (Sibley). Empidonax and other flycatchers are part of a large group of birds called the “subocines.” The “ocines” are the songbirds and it is well-documented that the songbirds learn their songs from their parents and other adults in their geographical area.
Some research shows that the subocines do not learn their songs, but have them genetically encoded and some species such as the Alder Flycatcher (E. alnorum) sing their song shortly after birth, well before a songbird would have time to learn their song (Kroodsma). Therefore, the voice of Empidonax flycatchers is very reliable for species identification.
The song of the Hammond’s Flycatcher is considered to be “…of three phrases (usually in this sequence): tsi-pik, …swi-vrk high then scratchy, and grr-vik lower and rougher…” (Sibley). You can hear this song at Macauley library-song. It also has a distinctive alarm pip call note, which you can hear at Macauley library-call.
SOME IDENTIFICATION CLUES
You may also see a video of a singing Hammond’s Flycatcher at Macauley library-video. The Hammond’s usually appears large headed and short tailed (Alderfer). Notice the overall gray color, roundness of the head, and the length of the primary wing feathers. Also note the tiny, dark bill and especially the dark lower mandible. Hammond’s is very similar to the Dusky Flycatcher (E. oberholseri) making habitat and song very important in differentiating them.
Hammond’s Flycatcher migrates along the Pacific Flyway and arrives in Washington and British Columbia from mid-March to early June (Sedgwick). Once on the breeding grounds in cool, coniferous forests, the Hammond’s builds a cup nest usually between 30-100 feet high at the end of a horizontal branch. Typically, four eggs are deposited and only the female incubates the eggs. However, both parents bring food to the young, which may remain with the parents in a family group for a week or more after fledging (Kaufman).
XANTUS HONORS HAMMOND
The species name Hammondii is in honor of William Alexander Hammond (1828-1900), a surgeon general of the U. S. Army. John Xantus (1825-1894) named this bird to honor Hammond inspiring his fieldwork in the western United States (Holloway).
Hammond’s Flycatcher is considered a widespread and common species with a relatively stable population. However, some habitat has been lost as a result of logging old growth forests.
Photo credit Ollie Oliver. References available upon request from amccormick@eastsideaudubon.org.