Dark-sided Flycatcher

Medium-sized flycatcher, a bit smaller than our Gray Flycatcher. It is a big migrator with very long wings extending widely onto the tail, making it look shorter. Like some other flycatchers of similar behavior, this bird has plain discreet plumage, all in shades of gray and brown. Identification is therefore not easy.
First the adult is recognized by its lower parts. As suggested by its English name, Dark-sided Flycatcher, the sides of the chest are dark and separated by a longitudinal median band which is clearer. Seen from far, these dark sides appear united, but seen up close, one can distinguish dark blackish streaks on a gray background. The upper chest shows a darker pectoral band which contrasts with the clear throat. Another specific criteria is that the under-tail feathers are marked gray while they are white on its congener, the Spotted Flycatcher. Compared to the latter, the head pattern is less defined. The lores are more uniform, lightly tawny, and the sub-mustache and malar stripes less obvious. The white eye circle is more visible. Moreover, its head looks wider and the beak smaller.
The upper parts are gray-brown, their uniformity being disrupted by beige edgings to the inner remiges and the coverts.
There are four sub-species which differ only in nuances of the plumage which can be darker or lighter above and below.
The juvenile plumage is even darker, with streaks and tawny spots on the head and upper parts and edgings of the same color on the wing feathers. The underside can have a mottled or scaled aspect.