Cordilleran Flycatchers and Pacific-slope Flycatchers were once considered the same species ('Western Flycatcher') and were only split in 1989 based on slight differences in voice and DNA.
They build moss-and-rootlet cup nests on shaded ledges — perfect for an open-front shelf.
They're sit-and-wait flycatchers, sallying out from a low perch to grab insects in mid-air.
If you live in mountain forest country in the West, Cordilleran Flycatchers will use a sheltered ledge near water.
Mount the open shelf 6–12 ft up in deep shade — under a porch, eave, or against a north-facing wall in a wooded yard.
A creek, pond, or fountain dramatically improves your odds — they're tied to moist habitats.
Aerial insects only. Native plants supporting flying insects.
Mountain forest with mature trees nearby — they avoid open or recently-logged country.
Don't site the shelf in sun-baked open areas; they want shade.
A small flycatcher of mountain forests in the Rocky Mountains and Mexican highlands.
Breeds throughout the Rockies from Idaho and Montana south through Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico.
Winters in the Mexican highlands and Pacific slope south to Oaxaca.
Moist canyon woodlands, riparian corridors in mountain forests, often shaded by pine and aspen. They prefer cool damp microclimates.
No entrance hole, no front wall — just a sheltered ledge. Includes drainage and the integrated mounting tab.
See the full lineupMigrant from Mexico. Highly faithful to specific nest sites — same cabin can host the same lineage for decades.