Empidonax occidentalis
Among the small and nondescript, the Western Flycatcher was one of the first little birds I learned to identify as they seem to tread air while catching flying insects, darting quickly as necessary. Far more common than the crested, Ash-throated Flycatcher posted a few days ago, I include these photos to eliminate any confusion.
Always entertaining in the spring, they can be quite aggressive while nesting, escorting Red Tails and other larger birds away from their eggs and young, oftentimes sitting on the shoulder of a hawk while pecking its head in flight. I have even seen two flycatchers riding one Red Tail.
Empidonax occidentalis
drycrikjournal 
Wow! Waiting for the photo of two flycatchers on a hawk, pecking!
🙂
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That action is too quick for me, but with patience in the spring it could happen. Oh, they’re mean little buggers, fearless and relentless. When it happens, we just look at one another and grin in disbelief, in awe.
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