Spotted Flycatcher

Muscicapa striata

Genus · Muscicapa Flycatchers Family · Old World Flycatchers, Robins, and Chats
Observation tips Difficulty: MODERATE
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
Dry branchesFencesGarden structures

Look for a slim, upright bird on a garden fence. Watch for it flying out and returning to the same spot. Listen for its thin, squeaky 'sip-sip' call.

Spotted Flycatcher
Stats
Wingspan23–26 cm
Weight13–19 g
Length13–15 cm
Lifespan wild3–9 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typeCavity
Clutch size4–6 eggs
Incubation12–14 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationMigratory
Social BehaviourSolitary

Diet: Insectivore

🐝Bees
🦗Insects

Habitat

🌳 Forest deciduous🏡 Garden🍎 Orchard🏙️ Urban
✦ Fun Fact

Spotted Flycatchers are remarkably faithful to their nesting sites. They often return to the same garden or even the same nest box year after year.

About

A late-arriving summer migrant that reaches Europe in May. It is a master of the aerial hunt. Although it is a plain, grey-brown bird, its upright posture makes it easy to identify. It favors open woodlands, large gardens, and churchyards. It is a long-distance migrant that winters in Southern Africa.

Behaviour

This bird hunts by sitting on an open perch and watching for flying insects. It often stays in the same spot for a long time, making short flights to catch prey in the air and then returning to the same perch. While waiting, it often flicks its wings and tail.

Similar species

Northern Wheatear
🐦
Northern Wheatear
Oenanthe oenanthe
European Pied Flycatcher
🐦
European Pied Flycatcher
Ficedula hypoleuca
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