General Description: Empidonax Flycatchers (Empidonax sp.), usually referred to as Empids, are small, sexually monomorphic flycatchers. To the casual observer and many birdwatchers, they all look alike. Even to experts, they provide a challenge during migration when they don't sing and aren't in typical habitat. Different breeding and winter plumages add to the challenge.

In general, Empids are tiny flycatchers with yellowish-gray or grayish-yellow tints. Most have eye rings and wingbars, and they have differing amounts of yellow on the bill. Slight differences in appearance, habitat, behavior, and voice are used to identify the several species around Las Vegas.

Taxonomy: Passeriformes, Tyrannidae, Fluvicolinae.

Empids are "fly catchers," and often can be seen flying out from a perch to catch an insect in the air, then returning to the same perch to look for another passing bug. Sometimes they catch things on the ground too.

Favored Habitat: Different species prefer different habitats, and they can be found from the hot deserts to the cool mountains and everywhere in between.

Where to Find: Look for Empidonax Flycatchers everywhere around Las Vegas: check Corn Creek, the Henderson BVP, urban parks (e.g., Lorenzi and Sunset parks), and higher elevation places like Mt. Charleston.

Comments: Empids around Las Vegas include Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii), Hammond's Flycatcher (Empidonax hammondii), Gray Flycatcher (Empidonax wrightii), Dusky Flycatcher (Empidonax oberholseri), and Western Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis).