ExploreBirds

Hammond's Flycatcher

Empidonax hammondii

Hammond's Flycatcher is a small bird that loves to catch insects in the air. With its soft greenish-yellow feathers, it blends in well with trees and bushes, making it a fun bird to spot!

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Hammond's Flycatcher is a small, slender bird with an overall drab grayish-green back and a paler belly. It has a subtle, broken white eye-ring and long primary feathers that extend beyond its short tail, giving it a distinctive 'long-winged' look compared to similar species.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyTyrannidaeGenusEmpidonax
Hammond's Flycatcher
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Hammond's Flycatcher

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

1

Interesting facts

Hammond's Flycatchers often flick their short tails downwards while perched, a unique little habit!

They migrate thousands of miles twice a year, from chilly mountains to warm tropics!

This tiny bird is named after Dr. William A. Hammond, an army naturalist!

Unlike many birds, its song is often described as a soft, three-part 'sip-swee-sip' call!

Special abilities

Ability

Airborne Acrobatics

Hammond's Flycatcher can swiftly dart out from a perch and catch flying insects mid-air because of its agile flight and keen eyesight.

Ability

Camouflage Master

Hammond's Flycatcher has muted green-gray plumage that helps them blend perfectly into the forest canopy, making them hard for predators to spot.

Ability

Insect Spotter

Hammond's Flycatcher can spot tiny insects from a distance because of its excellent vision, allowing it to efficiently hunt its prey.

Ability

Stealthy Hunter

Hammond's Flycatcher has a quiet, quick flight style that helps them ambush unsuspecting insects without being detected.

Measurements & details

Length
12.5-14 cm
Wingspan
21-22 cm
Weight
0.008-0.012 kg
Lifespan
2-7 years
Top Speed
35 km/h
Clutch Size
3-4
Incubation
12-14 days
Migration Distance
4000 km

Diet & Feeding

These small birds are expert bug catchers, feasting mostly on flying insects and spiders.

Primary Foods

  • Flies
  • Beetles
  • Wasps
  • Moths
  • Caterpillars
  • Spiders

Foraging Method

  • Pursuit

Ecological connections

eaten by

Cooper's Hawk

Accipiter cooperii

A common forest raptor that preys on small birds.

hunts

Common Midge

Chironomus plumosus

Actively catches and eats various small flying insects like midges.

hunts

Common Wasp

Vespula vulgaris

Forages for many types of flying insects, including wasps.

eaten by

American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

A small falcon that can prey on small flycatchers.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Hammond's Flycatcher?

The easiest way to identify Hammond's Flycatcher is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Hammond's Flycatcher?

12.5-14 cm

What is Hammond's Flycatcher's wingspan?

21-22 cm

How much does Hammond's Flycatcher weigh?

0.008-0.012 kg

How long does Hammond's Flycatcher live?

2-7 years

How fast can Hammond's Flycatcher move?

35 km/h

What does Hammond's Flycatcher eat?

These small birds are expert bug catchers, feasting mostly on flying insects and spiders.

Where is Hammond's Flycatcher usually found?

Forests

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