Hammond's Flycatcher    Empidonax hammondii

Conservation Status

General Status in Canada : Secure

COSEWIC Status : Not assessed

Breeding Bird Surveys indicate that North American populations have changed little between 1966 and 2007 and populations are thought to be relatively stable. As interior forest nesters, Hammond’s Flycatchers are sensitive to forest fragmentation, and may require mature to old-growth conifer areas greater than 5 ha for successful breeding. In smaller forest patches, they likely suffer higher rates of predation, particularly from Steller’s Jays (Cyanocitta stelleri) and Gray Jays (Perisoreus canadensis). Logging of white spruce stands likely has a negative impact on boreal forest populations of Hammond’s Flycatchers. However, in much of their range, they may be able to maintain healthy populations as they can successfully utilize conifer forest stands as young as 60 years old. Deforestation of conifer forests on their winter range is potentially detrimental, although the species occupies a wider range of habitat types at that time of year.

Reference(s)

Sedgwick, J. A. 1994. Hammond's Flycatcher (Empidonax hammondii), The Birds of North America Online, . A. Poole, Ed. Ithaca: Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology; Retrieved from The Birds of North America Online database: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/109