The spotted flycatcher, also known as the gray flycatcher or the European pied flycatcher, is a small passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae. The species breeds in most of Europe and western Asia, migrating to Africa and south Asia in winter. It is declining in parts of its range.
Other Common Names
The spotted flycatcher has several other common names it is known by, including:
- Gray flycatcher
- European pied flycatcher
- European spotted flycatcher
- Pied flycatcher
These names generally refer to the bird’s scientific name, physical appearance, and geographic range. The names ‘gray flycatcher’ and ‘pied flycatcher’ describe its grayish plumage with white patches. ‘European spotted flycatcher’ and ‘European pied flycatcher’ highlight that it is found widely across Europe.
Scientific Classification
The spotted flycatcher’s scientific name is Muscicapa striata. This places it in the following taxonomic classification:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Muscicapidae
- Genus: Muscicapa
- Species: M. striata
This scientific name indicates the spotted flycatcher’s evolutionary relationships. It is classified in the genus Muscicapa along with other Old World flycatchers. The species name ‘striata’ refers to its streaked plumage.
Physical Description
The spotted flycatcher is a small, slender songbird, typically measuring 12-14 cm in length and weighing 14-22 g. It has the following physical features:
- Grayish-brown upperparts with pale streaking
- Light grey underparts
- White throat and breast
- Pale brow, eye-ring, and legs
- Long broad-based bill suited for catching insects
- Tail flicked open and shut while perched
The spotted flycatcher exhibits sexual dimorphism, meaning males and females have slightly different plumage. Males tend to have pale gray heads and upperparts, while females have browner upperparts. Juveniles resemble females but are more rufous overall.
Habitat and Range
The spotted flycatcher has a large breeding range across Europe and western Asia. Its breeding habitat includes open deciduous woodlands, orchards, parks, and rural gardens. This species migrates to sub-Saharan Africa in winter, returning to Europe and Asia in spring to breed.
The core breeding range includes:
- Most of Europe, including the UK, Scandinavia, France, Germany, and the Mediterranean
- Western Asia through Russia, Turkey, the Middle East, and Iran
- Wintering grounds in sub-Saharan Africa south of the Sahara Desert
Diet and Feeding
The spotted flycatcher is an insectivore, eating mainly flying insects like flies, bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, and dragonflies. It catches insects in flight from an open perch or on the ground. Its broad bill is adapted for catching insects.
This species employs several hunting techniques:
- Flycatching: Catches insects in mid-air in rapid darting flights from a perch
- Gleaning: Picks insects off leaves and branches while perched
- Hawking: Catches insects in flight like a flycatcher
- Lunging: Makes short plunges from a perch to catch prey on the ground
Breeding and Nesting
The spotted flycatcher breeds across Europe and Asia during spring and summer. Courtship involves aerial displays by the male. Nests are made of twigs, grasses, and moss, often lined with hair and feathers.
Key facts about its breeding biology include:
- Nests in tree holes, nest boxes, or building crevices
- Lays a clutch of 4-6 eggs
- Incubation lasts 13-15 days
- Young fledge at 15-17 days old
- May raise 2-3 broods per breeding season
Both parents share brooding and feeding duties. They fiercely defend the nest from predators and intruders.
Migration
The spotted flycatcher is a long-distance migrant, breeding across Europe and Asia and wintering in Africa south of the Sahara. Its migration covers distances up to 6,800 km each way.
Key aspects of its migration include:
- Migrates at night, resting in daytime
- Makes an epic crossing over the Mediterranean Sea and Sahara Desert
- Winters in sub-Saharan Africa from October to March/April
- Returns to breeding grounds in Europe and Asia in April/May
- Young birds migrate independently of parents
Major wintering regions include tropical West Africa, the Congo Basin, and East Africa. The migration is highly perilous, requiring immense energy reserves.
Population Status
According to the IUCN Red List, the spotted flycatcher has a conservation status of Least Concern. However, its European population has declined moderately in recent decades. Causes may include habitat loss on migration routes and climate change.
Population trends:
- Europe: Population declined by 49% from 1980-2013
- UK: Declined by 75% since the 1960s
- Asia: Declines observed in parts of range
Despite declines, overall populations remain relatively large. Ongoing habitat protection and creation of nest sites may help conservation efforts for this species.
Fun Facts
- Sometimes Hawked for sport by fly-fishing anglers, who cast artificial flies to imitate insects for the birds to catch
- The meaning of its scientific name “Muscicapa striata” is “striped flycatcher”
- Routinely crosses the mighty Sahara Desert twice a year on migration
- Parent birds are known for entering houses to remove chicks that have fallen down chimneys
- Poet John Clare wrote an ode to the spotted flycatcher in the early 1800s
Conclusion
In summary, the spotted flycatcher is a migratory insect-eating songbird known by many descriptive common names. Despite population declines in parts of its range, it remains widespread across Europe and Asia. This agile little bird makes an epic biannual crossing of the Mediterranean and Sahara, attesting to the powerful migratory instincts of small songbirds.