Spotted Flycatcher

Overview

The spotted flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) is a small passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family that breeds across most of Europe and the Palearctic to Siberia. It is a migratory species that winters in Africa and south western Asia, and is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, though populations are declining in parts of its range.

Identification

• Small and slim bird measuring approximately 14.5 cm in length with a weight of 14–20 g, characterised by long wings and tail.
• Dull grey-brown upperparts and off-white underparts, with a crown, throat, and breast streaked with brown.
• Short black legs and a black, broad, and pointed bill typical of aerial insectivores.
• Call is a thin, drawn-out, soft, and high-pitched tssssseeeeeppppp that descends slightly in pitch.

Habitat

These birds inhabit deciduous woodlands, parks, and gardens, with a preference for open areas among trees. They breed across most of Europe and the Palearctic to Siberia, while the five recognised subspecies all winter in southern Africa.

Diet

Spotted flycatchers hunt from conspicuous perches, making sallies after passing flying insects and often returning to the same perch. Their upright posture during this foraging behaviour is characteristic.

Did you know?

Unlike most passerines that replace primary flight feathers in sequence from the body outwards, the spotted flycatcher is unusual in replacing the outer flight feathers before those nearer the body. Additionally, the species possesses excellent egg recognition skills, likely evolved from being a historical host of the common cuckoo, which it eventually ceased to be due to this defensive trait.