Flycatchers are a family of small passerine birds which catch insects on the wing. They are found worldwide, with over 400 species in 5 subfamilies. Flycatchers produce a variety of calls and songs, used for defending territories and attracting mates. Their vocalizations can be high-pitched, melodious whistles, sharp “seet” calls, or mechanical “zrrt” sounds. The exact sound a flycatcher makes depends on the species.
Typical flycatcher calls
The most common flycatcher call is a short, sharp “seet” or “tsip.” This serves as an alarm or contact call. For example, the Eastern Phoebe makes a clear “seet” call. The Acadian Flycatcher gives a rising “seet-seet.” Empidonax flycatchers utter a harsh “brit” call.
Many species incorporate “seet” or “tsip” sounds into their songs. The Willow Flycatcher sings a sneezy “fitz-bew” interspersed with “seet” calls. The Eastern Wood-Pewee sings a plaintive “pee-a-weee” with a descending “seet” at the end.
Flycatcher songs are often melodic whistles, reminiscent of other songbirds like warblers or vireos. The Great Crested Flycatcher has a rolling, rattling call like a bouncing ball. Scissor-tailed Flycatchers produce a nasal “ker-weep.” Some Myiarchus flycatchers sing a burry, spiraling whistle.
Harsh or mechanical vocalizations
Several flycatchers have relatively harsh, mechanical-sounding vocalizations. The Western Kingbird gives grating “kzeer” calls. Cassin’s Kingbird has a rattling call. Ash-throated and Brown-crested flycatchers produce whiny, squeaky notes.
The most distinctive flycatcher vocalization is the “zrrt” or “pump-r-lunk” call of the Eastern Phoebe. It makes this rattling sound by snapping its bill. Other flycatchers like the Black Phoebe and Say’s Phoebe give similar bill-snapping calls.
Seasonal and geographical variations
Flycatchers’ vocalizations can vary depending on the time of year and location. During migration and winter, flycatchers tend to call more softly and infrequently. When defending nesting territories in spring and summer, male flycatchers sing loudly and persistently.
There are also geographical dialects. Eastern Phoebe populations have three different accents. In the East, they make a dry “chip” call. Central birds have a sharp “chisser” call. Western birds give a softer “wheep” call.
Some closely-related flycatcher species sound almost identical, while others have distinct vocal differences that help identification. For example, the Willow and Alder flycatchers look alike but have distinctive “fitz-bew” and “fee-bee-o” songs.
Use of vocalizations
Flycatchers use their calls and songs for:
- Defending breeding territories
- Attracting mates
- Communicating with their mate and young
- Alarm calls to signal danger
Male flycatchers sing from prominent perches to mark their nesting sites. The olive-sided Flycatcher is known for its loud “quick, three beers!” song. Pairs may perform a quiet “whisper song” together. Flycatchers use their “seet” call back and forth to stay in contact, especially when feeding nestlings.
Identifying flycatchers by sound
Many flycatchers look similar, so song is an important identification tool. This chart summarizes key vocalizations of common North American species:
Species | Song/Call Description |
---|---|
Eastern Phoebe | “zrrt” bill snap |
Eastern Wood-Pewee | whistled “pee-a-weee” with “seet” |
Willow Flycatcher | sneezy “fitz-bew” |
Alder Flycatcher | buzzed “fee-bee-o” |
Least Flycatcher | harsh “che-bek” |
Great Crested Flycatcher | bouncing, rattling call |
Western Kingbird | grating “kzeer” |
Eastern Kingbird | high, whiny “zeep” |
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher | nasal “ker-weep” |
Olive-sided Flycatcher | loud “quick, three beers!” |
Tips for identification
- Note habitat – some species prefer woods, others open country
- Listen for subtleties like pitch, rhythm, buzzy vs. whistled notes
- Learn common songs of species in your area first
- Use call notes as a clue – “seet” often indicates a flycatcher
- Pay attention to song perches and posture
- Be patient – with practice, songs become more recognizable
Flycatcher songs and calls may seem challenging at first. With attentive listening and field experience, anyone can learn to identify these vocal, insect-eating songbirds.
Conclusion
Flycatchers produce a great diversity of vocalizations, ranging from sharp “seet” calls to melodious whistled songs. Different species have characteristic voices that often distinguish them better than plumage. Learning flycatcher sounds by listening in the field and to recordings helps birders separate these look-alike species. With practice, even tricky groups like Empidonax flycatchers can be readily identified by song alone. The flycatchers’ varied vocal repertoires provide an intriguing introduction to the sounds of the natural world.