It breeds in semi-arid desert scrub and tropical deciduous forest from western Mexico to northwest Costa Rica.

It is normally a year-round resident, but has been known as an occasional vagrant to southern California and Arizona–(southeastern, central, and western), in the United States.

Nutting's flycatchers build their nests in a tree cavity or similar natural or man-made hole, and the normal clutch is three to five eggs.

Adult Nutting's flycatchers are 18–19 cm long and weigh 21–23 g. The upper parts are olive brown, with a darker head and short crest.

A Nutting's flycatcher may be distinguished from other very similar Myiarchus species by its call, a sharp weeep.