Flycatchers are small passerine birds in the family Muscicapidae that are characterized by catching insects in flight. With over 300 species, flycatchers are found on every continent except Antarctica. Identifying flycatchers can be challenging due to their similarities in size, shape and behavior. However, with some key identification tips, you can learn to recognize the flycatchers found in your area.
What are the general characteristics of flycatchers?
Most flycatchers share some common physical features that aid in identification:
- Small, slender songbirds ranging from 4-8 inches in length
- Large, flat heads with upright postures
- Short, triangular beaks suited for catching insects
- Prominent rictal bristles around the base of the beak to help detect and capture prey
- Long primary wing feathers adapted for swift, acrobatic flight
- Drab plumage, often brown, gray or olive above and pale below
- Many species exhibit sexual dimorphism, with males more colorful than females
In terms of behavior, flycatchers are aerial foragers that swiftly dart out from perches to catch insects in mid-flight. They typically return to the same perch repeatedly while hunting. Most species are solitary and territorial during breeding season but may gather in mixed flocks while migrating or on wintering grounds.
What are some common flycatcher species in North America?
There are over 30 species of flycatchers that breed in North America. Some of the more widespread and identifiable species include:
- Eastern Phoebe: Distinctive upward slanting tail often pumps up and down. Call is a quick “phoebe.”
- Eastern Kingbird: Dark gray head and back with a white throat/chest. White tip on tail. Aggressive and vocal.
- Western Kingbird: Gray-olive upperparts, yellow belly, white throat. White outer tail feathers.
- Great Crested Flycatcher: Large crest, yellow belly, rufous in wings and tail. Loud “wheep” call.
- Cordilleran Flycatcher: Olive-brown upperparts, lemon-yellow belly. Eye ring and wing bars. “pi-tsee-it” call.
- Willow Flycatcher: Nondescript but has a distinctive “fitz-bew” song. Often flicks tail downward.
- Eastern Wood-Pewee: Olive-gray upperparts, white undersides. Obvious wing bars. Song is a mournful “pee-ah-wee.”
- Olive-sided Flycatcher: Unmistakable large flycatcher with streaked olive-brown back and white belly. Loud “quick three beers!” song.
What are some identification tips for flycatchers?
Here are some helpful clues to look for when identifying flycatchers:
- Size and proportions: Note overall size as well as key proportions like bill size, length of tail, and distance between eye and bill.
- Shape: Look for distinguishing shapes like crested heads, peaked/flat crowns, robust vs. slender bills.
- Plumage colors and patterns: Note coloring on the head, back, wings, tail, and undersides. Watch for eye rings, wing bars, streaking, rufous patches.
- Behavior: Jot down behaviors like foraging maneuvers, perching posture, tail motions, territorial displays.
- Habitat: Consider the habitat the bird is observed in, as many species have habitat preferences.
- Song and call: Attempt to phonetically note vocalizations, as many flycatchers have highly distinctive sounds.
It’s best to get a visual on the whole bird and listen for vocalizations before making an ID. Over time, you will build familiarity with common species in your area.
What are some tips for attracting flycatchers?
You can increase your chances of observing flycatchers by making your property attractive to them during spring and summer:
- Avoid cutting down dead trees, as flycatchers use them for perching while hunting.
- Put up nest boxes suited for flycatcher-sized birds.
- Plant native trees and shrubs that attract insect prey.
- Avoid pesticide use so insects thrive.
- Place orchards and berry patches on your property.
- Add a small water feature like a pond or fountain.
- Minimize mowed lawn and keep parts of the yard more natural.
With some patience, you may be rewarded by flycatchers nesting on your property. This will give you opportunities to observe them closely and study their identification points.
What equipment helps with flycatcher identification?
Having the right gear makes observing and identifying flycatchers easier:
- Binoculars – Binoculars are essential for getting close looks at key field marks for identification. Aim for at least 7x or 8x magnification.
- Spotting scope – A spotting scope with a zoom eyepiece provides great views of distant birds.
- Field guide – A small regional guide with illustrations assists enormously with comparing field observations to species descriptions.
- Camera – Get diagnostic photos to study plumage patterns. A long lens will produce better images.
- Audio recorder – Use your smartphone or a dedicated recorder to capture vocalizations to later compare against recordings.
- Birding app – Apps like Merlin Bird ID let you enter notes and get AI-powered identification assistance.
Some other handy items include a notebook for jotting details, sturdy binocular harness, and a birding hat to shade your eyes. High quality optics, a good field guide and audio recordings are most essential for flycatcher ID.
What are some flycatcher identification challenges?
Accurately identifying flycatchers poses some specific challenges:
- They tend to be smaller birds that flit through foliage, making observation tricky.
- Many species look very similar, differing only in subtle plumage details.
- Lighting conditions greatly affect how colors and patterns appear.
- Overlap in habitat and range creates confusion between similar species.
- Spring migrant individuals may differ from breeding plumage birds.
- Young birds look different from adults in late summer and fall.
- Vocalizations vary regionally and can be hard to hear clearly.
- Hybridization may produce birds with intermediate traits.
Given these difficulties, it’s common for even expert birders to have trouble conclusively identifying some flycatchers. Don’t get discouraged! Focus on noting as many field marks as you can reliably observe. Over time, you will get better at separating similar species.
What traits help distinguish Empidonax flycatchers?
The genus Empidonax contains small, nondescript flycatchers, often referred to as “empids”, which pose notorious ID challenges. Here are some clues for distinguishing species:
Species | Field marks | Notes |
---|---|---|
Willow Flycatcher | White throat contrasting with olive-gray head. White eye ring. Pale wing bars. | Breeds in shrubby wetlands. “Fitz-bew” call. |
Least Flycatcher | Gray-olive back with whitish underside. Prominent eye ring. Two distinctly colored wing bars. | Perches erect. “Che-bek” call. |
Hammond’s Flycatcher | Gray head blending into grayish breast. Indistinct eye ring. Wings lack bars. | Breeds in pine forests. “Pseet” call. |
Gray Flycatcher | Plain gray-olive above and pale gray below. Long wings. Indistinct eye ring. | Long wings in flight. “Pseep” call. |
Cordilleran Flycatcher | Bright yellow underside contrasts with olive-brown back. Conspicuous brown eye ring and wing bars. | Found in western mountains. “Pi-tsee-it” song. |
Pacific-slope Flycatcher | Dark gray head. Orange lower mandible. Olive back and yellow throat. Indistinct wing bars. | Breeds in western lowlands. Song is sharp “pseet” notes. |
Eastern Wood-Pewee | Drab olive-gray above and lighter gray below. Obvious wing bars. Flat head profile. | Eastern forests. Plaintive “pee-ah-weee” song. |
Carefully assessing size, structural differences, plumage colors, and vocalizations is the key to distinguishing these challenging empid flycatchers.
What are some tips for attracting Eastern Phoebes?
The Eastern Phoebe is a common flycatcher with some simple habitat needs:
- Build an open wood or wire platform nest 6-10 feet high under an overhang or eave.
- Provide dried mud nearby for nest building.
- Offer nest material like moss, plant fibers, hair or feathers.
- Include both shrubs and open ground for hunting perches.
- Add a water source like a pond, fountain or small pool.
- Supply native berry plants for food.
- Avoid pesticide use so insect prey will be abundant.
- Put up nest boxes if natural sites are limited.
With access to suitable nesting spots and foraging areas rich with insect prey, Eastern Phoebes are likely to raise multiple broods in your yard each summer.
What are the best flycatcher spots in the eastern United States?
Some top locations to observe a diversity of eastern flycatcher species include:
- Magee Marsh – This migration hotspot on the Ohio shore of Lake Erie is famous for spectacular warbler viewing, but also hosts many flycatchers.
- High Island – Near the upper Texas coast, this site offers remarkable spring migration flycatchers as they rest and refuel.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park – The extensive forest habitat here supports Acadian, Yellow-bellied and Olive-sided Flycatchers.
- Hilton Pond Center – This education center in North Carolina has banded thousands of migrating flycatchers over decades.
- Dauphin Island – Located off the Alabama coast, huge numbers of birds pass over this pelagic migration hotspot each spring.
- Presquile National Wildlife Refuge – This protected coastal marsh on Lake Ontario is a major flycatcher stopover site.
Seek out these legendary flycatcher migration sites for your best chance to observe multiple species as they journey to northern breeding grounds.
Conclusion
Identifying flycatchers requires patience and practice. Focus on noting plumage details, structural characteristics, vocalizations, behavior, habitat, and range to accurately distinguish between similar species. Take advantage of peak migration periods to observe the greatest diversity of flycatchers. With frequent field observations and study of guide photos and descriptions, you will gradually improve your identification abilities. Soon you will be able to recognize flycatchers instantly by their unique features and behaviors.