Spotted Flycatcher

13 hours ago door Remi

Points: 45

Spotted

The Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) is a widespread small passerine bird of the Old World flycatcher family, Muscicapidae. Renowned for its distinctive upright posture and highly agile fly-catching behavior, it is a common summer visitor across much of Europe and temperate Asia. This unobtrusive bird often goes unnoticed until its characteristic sallying flights for insects are observed.

Where to spot

Spotted Flycatchers prefer open woodlands, mature gardens, parks, orchards, and avenues, often near water or clearings, where tall perches are available. They adapt well to human-modified landscapes and can be found in suburban areas.

How to spot

Spotting this bird typically involves watching for its characteristic 'sallying' behavior: it perches prominently on branches, fences, wires, or walls, then darts out to catch flying insects mid-air before returning to the same or a nearby perch. Its song is a very thin, high-pitched, and rather weak series of squeaky notes, often going unnoticed, but its call is a soft 'tsip' or 'tseee'.

When to spot

They are most active during the day, particularly in the morning and late afternoon. As a migratory species, they are present on their breeding grounds in Europe and western Asia from late April or May through August or early September.

Where to spot

How to spot

When to spot

Credits: Frans & all

Credits: Ouwesok

Credits: hans zwitzer

The Spotted Flycatcher is an exceptionally skilled aerial insectivore, catching nearly all of its diet of flying insects on the wing, often performing acrobatic maneuvers.

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