Among the least conspicuous of Oregon's birds, this inhabitant of arid country may be found in pine and juniper woodland and sagebrush shrubland.

A particularly drab member of the difficult-to-identify flycatchers, the Gray flycatcher can most readily be recognized by its downward tail-bobbing motion. Other identification features include its overall gray coloration, its relatively long bill and tail, and a habit of frequently dropping to the ground from low perches in pursuit of food.

It is an uncommon to locally fairly common breeder east of the Cascade summit and rare but annual along the west slope of the Cascades during spring migration.

Hear the song of the Gray flycatcher

Photo by Trish Gussler, Flickr