Myiarchus cinerascens

The ash-throated flycatcher is a bird of Utah's dry country. The pictured bird was seen at Indian Peak Wildlife Management Area in Beaver County.

It prefers open habitats where it can sally forth from a perching branch to catch insects on the wing. They are 8 inches long with a 14-inch wingspan.

Its body is pale with the characteristic ash-colored throat, white chest and a pale yellow belly. It belongs to a group of flycatchers that feature a crested head. When flying, you can see reddish and dark brown feathers in the tail.

Ash-throated flycatchers are cavity nesters. They often will evict a woodpecker from its cavity, forcing it to drill another home. Three to seven eggs are brooded by the female. The altricial young fledge within 14-16 days. Both parents feed the young.

The ash-throated flycatcher shown here has a large dragonfly in its beak, which it is bringing to the nest to feed to its young.

They are a neotropical migrant, moving south in winter, where they can find insects. They also will eat berries, fruit and small lizards.

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* BILL FENIMORE is owner of the Layton Wild Bird Center, www.wildbird.com/layton. Join the Wild Bird Center for a free bird walk to Kayscreek, Saturday at 8 a.m. Call 801-525-8400 for more information.