European Pied Flycatcher
Least ConcernFicedula hypoleuca
Visual Identification
European Pied Flycatcher
Appearance
The European Pied Flycatcher is a small, striking bird with distinct black and white plumage in breeding males. Their white foreheads, white wing patches, and white outer tail feathers contrast sharply with their black upperparts.
Females and non-breeding males are predominantly brown-grey above and off-white below, with a pale wing patch. Both sexes have black irises, a short black bill, and black-brown legs.
Juveniles resemble females but have spotted upperparts and a buff wash to their plumage. They develop their full adult plumage by their first summer, although first-year adult males retain a brownish tinge.
Size
Length
12cm to 13.5cm
Wingspan
21cm to 24cm
Weight
9g to 17g
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
European Pied Flycatchers breed across much of Europe, from Spain to western Russia. They favour mature deciduous and mixed woodlands, particularly those dominated by oak. They also prefer areas with an open understory and available nest cavities.
These birds are long-distance migrants, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. In the UK, they are most commonly found in western and northern areas, including Wales and Scotland, during the breeding season from April to August.
Passage sightings are commonly reported along the eastern coast of England and the Isle of Man.
Elevation Range
Up to 2,000 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subarctic
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
European Pied Flycatchers primarily feed on flying insects, including flies, moths, and butterflies. They catch their prey in mid-air with remarkable agility, often making short flights from a perch.
Other insects, including earwigs, grasshoppers, beetles, and cockroaches, are widely eaten. Caterpillars, millipedes, woodlice, and snails are also popular prey. They have been observed smashing snail shells against the ground to eat them.
During migration and winter, they may also consume berries and other small fruits plucked from bushes in flight, particularly currants, elder and figs, which supplement their diet when insects are less abundant.
Behaviour
European Pied Flycatchers are agile aerial insectivores, often seen darting from a perch to catch flying insects mid-air. They frequently return to the same perch after catching prey. During courtship, males perform elaborate displays, including wing-flicking and tail-fanning, to attract females.
Mobbing is a particularly common behaviour, who use a ‘tik’ alarm call to summon other nearby birds to help deal with an imminent threat.
On hearing the call, any nearby Pied Flycatchers may decide to join the mobbing effort, noisily divebombing a potential predator en masse in an attempt to drive it away.
Vocalisation
The European Pied Flycatcher has a distinctive call, a sharp 'pik' or 'whit' often given in flight or when alarmed. Their song is a short, sweet warble, typically lasting 2-3 seconds and often described as 'tsee-tsee-tsee-tsurr-tsurr'.
Males sing most actively during the breeding season to attract mates and defend territories.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding occurs from May to July, with males arriving at breeding grounds before females to establish territories. Males may be polygynous, attempting to attract multiple females.
Nests are built in tree cavities or nest boxes, primarily by the female. The nest is a cup-shaped structure made of leaves, grass, and bark, lined with finer materials. Females typically lay 5-7 pale blue eggs.
Incubation lasts about 13-14 days, and it is performed solely by the female. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after 14-16 days but continue to receive parental care for another two weeks.
Lifespan
The European Pied Flycatcher typically lives for 2 to 5 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 15 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While currently listed as Least Concern, European Pied Flycatchers face threats from habitat loss and climate change. Their reliance on specific woodland habitats and long-distance migration makes them vulnerable to environmental changes.
Conservation efforts focus on preserving suitable breeding habitats and studying their migration patterns.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for them in deciduous and mixed woodlands, especially near the edges
- Listen for their distinctive 'pik' call and short, sweet, warbling song
- Watch for their characteristic fly catching behaviour from prominent perches
- In the UK, visit oak woodlands in western and northern areas during spring and summer
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Pied Flycatcher
Family:
MuscicapidaePredators
Main predators include sparrowhawks, domestic cats, and various small mammals such as pine martens and squirrels, which may raid nests for eggs or chicks.
Did You Know?
- European Pied Flycatchers can catch up to 2,000 insects in a single day during the breeding season.
- They have one of the fastest declines in population arrival dates due to climate change among European migratory birds.
- Males with the most contrasting black and white plumage are generally more successful in attracting mates.
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References
- 1 4
journalArticle, 2006: Moller, Sociality, age at first reproduction and senescence: comparative analyses of birds
- 2 3
website: BirdLife International. 2018. Ficedula hypoleuca. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22709308A131952521.
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