General

Brown-crested Flycatcher: Medium-sized flycatcher with olive-brown upperparts, yellow underparts, and pale gray throat. Bill is long, stout, and solid black. Wings have rufous patches. Tail is long and rufous. Sexes are similar.

Range and Habitat

Brown-crested Flycatcher: Breeds from southern California, southern Nevada, central Arizona, and southern Texas southward. Spends winters mainly south of the U.S.-Mexico border; some individuals may winter in Louisiana and southern Florida. Preferred habitats include arid lands in areas with cacti or large trees.

Breeding and Nesting

Brown-crested Flycatcher: Three to six white to buff eggs with brown and lavender blotches are laid in a nest lined with feathers, fibers, and hairs, and built in a tree cavity, cactus, or on a fence post. Incubation ranges from 13 to 15 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Brown-crested Flycatcher: Feeds on insects, berries, and other fruits; has been observed eating hummingbirds.

Vocalization

Brown-crested Flycatcher: Song is a "come HERE, come HERE", a sharp "wit", or "way-burg".

Similar Species

Brown-crested Flycatcher: Great Crested Flycatcher has darker gray throat and breast and rust-brown tail. Ash-throated Flycatcher has paler yellow underparts and rust-brown tail.