Spotted Flycatcher
Least ConcernMuscicapa striata
Visual Identification
Spotted Flycatcher
Appearance
The Spotted Flycatcher is a small, slender bird with an overall greyish-brown plumage.
It has a pale underside with fine, dark streaks on the breast and flanks, giving it a slightly 'spotted' appearance. The head is rounded with a flattened forehead, the bill is straight and slender, and they have large dark eyes.
Both sexes look similar, with juveniles showing more pronounced spotting. During the breeding season, adults may appear slightly paler due to feather wear, but there's no significant seasonal plumage change.
Spotted Flycatchers are most easily confused with the female Pied Flycatcher, although that species has a prominent white marking on each wing.
Size
Length
14cm to 16cm
Wingspan
23cm to 25cm
Weight
14g to 20g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Grey Brown
Secondary Colour
White
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Black
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Spotted Flycatchers inhabit open woodlands, forest edges, parks, and gardens across Europe and western Asia. They prefer areas with a mix of open spaces and scattered trees or tall shrubs that provide suitable perches for hunting.
As long-distance migrants, they spend winters in sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia. In the UK, they are summer, breeding visitors, arriving in late April or May and departing by September or early October.
Elevation Range
Up to 2,200 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subtropical
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
True to their name, Spotted Flycatchers primarily feed on flying insects, including flies, bees, wasps, damselflies, flying ants, moths, and butterflies. They catch their prey on the wing, often in impressive aerial manoeuvres.
Occasionally, they may also take insects from leaves or the ground, especially in cooler weather when flying insects are scarce. Fruits and berries are a minor component of their diet.
Behaviour
Spotted Flycatchers are known for their distinctive hunting technique. They perch upright on exposed branches, scanning for flying insects before making quick, agile flights to catch prey mid-air. They often return to the same perch after each foray, a behaviour known as 'fly-catching'.
Vocalisation
The Spotted Flycatcher has a subtle vocal repertoire. Its song is a soft, high-pitched 'tsee-tsee-tsee' or 'tzi-tzi-tzi', often given from a perch. The call is a sharp 'tsk' or 'zit'.
During the breeding season, males may sing quietly at dawn, producing a series of warbling notes interspersed with their typical calls.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding occurs from May to August, with pairs often returning each year to the same nesting site. Males perform simple courtship displays, including wing-quivering and short song flights.
Nests are typically built in tree cavities, on branches, or in man-made structures like wall crevices. The cup-shaped nest is constructed mainly by the female using grass, moss, and spider webs lined with finer materials.
Females lay 3-5 whitish, pale blue or greenish eggs with reddish-brown spots. Incubation lasts about 12-14 days, with both parents sharing duties. Chicks fledge after 12-16 days but remain dependent on parents for another two weeks.
Lifespan
The Spotted Flycatcher typically lives for 2 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 11 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 listed as Least Concern globally, Spotted Flycatcher populations have declined significantly in parts of Europe, including the UK. Habitat loss, changes in farming practices, and climate change are potential factors.
Conservation efforts focus on maintaining suitable breeding habitats and researching migration patterns.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Spotted Flycatchers perched on prominent branches in open woodlands or gardens.
- Watch for their characteristic 'fly-catching' behaviour, darting out to catch insects.
- Listen for their soft, high-pitched 'tsee' call, often given from a perch.
- In the UK, observe them in parks and gardens from late spring to early autumn.
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Grey Flycatcher
Family:
MuscicapidaePredators
Main predators include domestic cats, Sparrowhawks, and other birds of prey. Nest predators such as squirrels, corvids, and climbing snakes also pose a threat to eggs and chicks.
Did You Know?
- Spotted Flycatchers can catch up to 2,000 insects in a single day.
- They have been known to nest in unusual places, including on light fixtures and even on moving vehicles.
- Despite their name, Spotted Flycatchers are not closely related to New World flycatchers.
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FAQs
Do Spotted Flycatchers hover?
Spotted Flycatchers can hover briefly when catching prey, inspecting potential nest sites, or collecting nesting material. They are not quite as acrobatic as hummingbirds, but they are certainly a very agile species.
Why are they called Spotted Flycatchers?
The Spotted Flycatcher has a rather inaccurate name. These birds are more striped than spotted, although they certainly do catch flies! In their defence, the juveniles do sport spotted plumage.
How to attract Spotted Flycatchers
Spotted Flycatchers have declined significantly in the UK, but bird enthusiasts can still encourage these birds to visit and even breed in their gardens. They do not usually visit bird tables, although a healthy garden with flowering plants will attract pollinating insects and provide a natural food source.
Birdwatchers can also encourage these birds to nest in the garden by installing a nest box. Our gardens may provide a relatively safe environment with fewer predators than natural woodlands, so this practice could undoubtedly benefit these birds in the UK.
Open-fronted nest boxes placed a few meters above the ground stand the best chance of attracting a pair.
Similar Birds
References
- 2 3
website: BirdLife International. 2019. Muscicapa striata (amended version of 2018 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T22709192A155605346.
View source - 4
report, 2015: EBCC
- 1
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source