Western Flycatcher

Overview

Western Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis) is a species of Tyrant Flycatchers, Calyptura (Tyrannidae) in the order Perching Birds (Passerines).

Scientific Classification

Genus: Empidonax; binomial: Empidonax difficilis; authority: Baird, SF, 1858.

Distribution

Breeding range: the Nearctic and Middle America. Non-breeding range: w Mexico.

Conservation Status

This taxon is listed as Extant (living) in the IOC World Bird List.

Remarks

Pacific-slope Flycatcher Empidonax difficilis and Cordilleran Flycatcher E. occidentalis (including hellmayri) are re-lumped, restoring the original name Western Flycatcher Empidonax difficilis to the recombined species. The two forms demonstrate extensive hybridization in a broad contact zone in w Canada and the northern western USA and lack consistent vocal, genomic and morphological differences (Rush et al. 2009; lack et al. 2019; Hopping 2022; Chesser et al. 2023).