Birds of North Carolina:
their Distribution and Abundance
Gray Flycatcher - Empidonax wrightii
TYRANNIDAE Members:
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General Comments As with the Hammond's Flycatcher, the Gray Flycatcher is a species of the Western States, but it is found in dry and shrubby habitats instead of the coniferous forests inhabited by the first species. As with that one, it is accidental in the state. There are two records: an individual found on the Jordan Lake CBC in eastern Chatham on 28 Dec 2003, and lingering until 22 Jan 2004* [Chat 72:41-43 link], [Chat 69:32 link]; and one found along the coast at Cape Lookout (Carteret) on 8 Oct 2023 [Chat 88:16 link]. The first was seen by many birders and was photographed; the second was photographed by seen by only a few people, and it has not yet been reviewed by the NC BRC.
Breeding Status Nonbreeder
NC BRC List Definitive
State Status
U.S. Status
State Rank SA
Global Rank G5
Coastal Plain One record (see above).
Piedmont One record (see above).
Mountains No records.
Finding Tips
1/2*
Attribution LeGrand[2024-02-10], LeGrand[2023-03-24], LeGrand[2018-02-01]
NC Map
Map depicts all counties with a report (transient or resident) for the species.
Click on county for list of all known species.