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Ash-throated Flycatchers Nesting in a Natural Cavity

Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) photos by Larry Jordan

Ash-throated Flycatchers (Myiarchus cinerascens) migrate to Northern California from Mexico and Central America every Spring to nest. They are cavity nesting birds and I one of the species that nest in my birdhouses every year. Every May I look forward to waking up in the morning hearing that sweet gurgling call.

The gathering of nest material and actual nest construction is done probably entirely or mostly by the female Ash-throated Flycatcher  seen here (click on photos for full sized images).

How do I know that the bird pictured above is the female? Because I watched her for quite some time as she flew back and forth to a nearby farm and brought back nesting material while the male gave his encouragement from a nearby perch. Here she is at the cavity entrance.

Nearly every time she brought in nesting material (as you will see in the video below) she would hesitate on coming out of the cavity and look around for a bit before taking off for more material.

In one instance a juvenile female Acorn Woodpecker inadvertently perched briefly on the same snag while the female Ash-throated Flycatcher was inside the cavity and the male was perched above in the same snag.

The Ash-throated Flycatcher pair immediately and aggressively attacked the woodpecker, chasing her off in quick order.

They then went back to the business of building their nest. The male Ash-throated Flycatcher following the female around during this nest building activity, apparently guarding his mate and singing to her.

In this short video you will hear the male singing to his mate around the 53 second mark as she flies by him on the way to gathering more nesting material. And she brings back a huge load on the next trip, looking as if she is exhausted.


If you love birds and you want to experience more great bird photos, you have to check out World Bird Wednesday!

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • Jean May 15, 2012, 11:13 pm

    Larry, I am now the jealous one. Your photos and video are outstanding!

  • Eileen May 16, 2012, 2:14 am

    Great video, Larry! It must have been neat to find the nest and watch the flycatcher at work.

  • Stewart M - Australia May 16, 2012, 3:08 am

    Splendid set of pictures – yes it is amazing how our common birds are rarities to so many others – and when you move half way around the world birds that were once common have never been recorded!

    Cheers – Stewart M – Australia

  • Linda May 16, 2012, 3:58 am

    Simply beautiful photos! And thank you for the interesting facts. This is truly a place to learn about birds of the world!

  • Boom & Gary May 16, 2012, 7:00 am

    Interesting looking flycatcher!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

  • fjällripan May 16, 2012, 7:40 am

    This is a new flycatcher to me. Great captures!!

  • Elaine @ Commotion May 16, 2012, 11:32 am

    What an adorable little bird….and such great shots. So interesting how it provides and the male watches over. Thanks for your WBW!!

  • Mick May 16, 2012, 12:10 pm

    A great series of action photos.

  • springman May 16, 2012, 7:19 pm

    Awesome Larry, How do you find this stuff?
    Cheers!

  • Carletta May 16, 2012, 7:29 pm

    Loved the video Larry!
    The Mrs. worked hard while the Mr. sang. 🙂
    Lovely still shot of the woodpecker!

  • Phil (@anotherbirdblog) May 17, 2012, 2:14 am

    Hi Larry and thanks for your comments on my blog. After three weeks away in Menorca I am finally catching up. Re “Pilling Puzzle”, not only is the whole construction unnecessarily complex, but the two signs which stand side by side seem to suggest there may or may not be public access. It’s ther way Pilling folk do things and a bit of an “in joke” but thanks for asking. Your Ash-throated Flycatchers look so like the Spotted Flycatchers we saw in Menorca – hopefully some will make it to the UK where sadly the species is in decline.

  • Bryan May 17, 2012, 4:43 am

    Those are some beautiful shots. And it is nice to have them nest year after year in your yard. It is great getting to know the birds like that.
    cheers,
    Bryan

  • dreamfalcon May 17, 2012, 5:45 am

    Larry, great post. That nest is quite far up and you caught some nice sequences there with the female bringing the nesting material.

  • Liz May 18, 2012, 10:06 am

    Great bird shots as always, Larry!! I really have missed blog hopping over the last month as much as I used to. Nice to be back visiting your blog. Have a great weekend 🙂

  • Connie Smiley May 20, 2012, 4:45 pm

    What a cool video!