# 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! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Hammond's Flycatcher](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Empidonax_hammondii.jpg&width=800) Photo: Dominic Sherony, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Empidonax_hammondii.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Tyrannidae - **Genus:** Empidonax ## 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 - **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. - **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. - **Insect Spotter:** Hammond's Flycatcher can spot tiny insects from a distance because of its excellent vision, allowing it to efficiently hunt its prey. - **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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-kestrel) (*Falco sparverius*) — A small falcon that can prey on small flycatchers. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## 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? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Headquarters Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/headquarters-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District - [Ryan Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ryan-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Alexandra Bridge Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alexandra-bridge-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see Hammond's Flycatcher](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/hammonds-flycatcher) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Hammond's Flycatcher: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hammonds-flycatcher)