Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) [XC283515]
by Manuel Grosselet from Navajo Canyon Open Space Preserve, San Diego, San Diego County, California, United States (call)
Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) [XC34090]
by Richard E Webster from Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Culberson Co., Texas, United States (call, song)
Subspecies
Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA placed this species in a clade with Yucatan Flycatcher (Myiarchus yucatanensis), Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) and Brown-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tyrannulus). Was in the past sometimes considered conspecific with Nutting's Flycatcher (Myiarchus nuttingi), but differs in mouth-lining colour, vocalizations, rectrix pattern, wing formula, and morphometrics. There is no evidence of hybridization between the two. Subspecies pertinax differs slightly from nominate in average measurements, but not diagnosably distinct in plumage or vocal characters; perhaps represents end point of a cline and, as such, of doubtful validity.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
cinerascens (Lawrence, 1851) - Breeds western USA (central Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, western Colorado) south to central Mexico. Winters from southern USA to Honduras, mainly on Pacific slope.
pertinax Baird, SF, 1860 - Southern Baja California (Mexico).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet