Western Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis) is in the Tyrant Flycatchers family (Tyrannidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 10,686 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Western Flycatcher: observations by month (U.S.)
About Western Flycatcher
The western flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis) is a small insectivorous bird in the family Tyrannidae. It is native to western North America, where it breeds in the Rocky Mountains and Pacific Coast forests and mountain ranges from California to Alaska and south to central Mexico; northern populations migrate south to Mexico for the winter.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Western Flycatcher by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 7,211 | May | Apr–Sep |
| Arizona | 972 | May | Apr–Sep |
| Colorado | 716 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Washington | 470 | June | May–Aug |
| New Mexico | 351 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Oregon | 281 | May | Apr–Aug |
| Texas | 124 | May | May–Jun |
| Utah | 91 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Montana | 74 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Alaska | 67 | July | May–Aug |
| Idaho | 67 | July | Jun–Jul |
| South Dakota | 52 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Nevada | 49 | August | May–Aug |
| Florida | 36 | February | Jan–Mar |
| Wyoming | 26 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Massachusetts | 12 | November | Nov–Nov |
| Nebraska | 12 | May | May–Sep |
| New York | 10 | November | Nov–Nov |
| North Carolina | 10 | December | Dec–Jan |
| Pennsylvania | 10 | December | Dec–Dec |
| Rhode Island | 8 | November | Nov–Jan |
| Louisiana | 7 | February | Feb–Feb |
| Tennessee | 7 | January | Nov–Jan |
| Maryland | 6 | December | Dec–Dec |
| New Jersey | 6 | October | Oct–Dec |
| Virginia | 6 | November | Nov–Nov |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Tyrant Flycatchers)
Eastern Phoebe
Black Phoebe
Eastern Kingbird
Say's Phoebe
Western Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Vermilion Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Western Flycatcher?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from April to September.
Where is Western Flycatcher most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Arizona, Colorado.