The pied flycatcher is a small passerine bird that breeds in most of Europe and western Asia. It is a summer migrant to northeastern Europe and northern Asia where it breeds in woodland edges, parks, large gardens, and orchards. The pied flycatcher is readily identified by its black and white plumage and melodious song. If you want to see this charming little bird, here are some tips on where to look for it during spring and summer.
What kind of habitat does the pied flycatcher prefer?
The pied flycatcher is found in deciduous woodlands, especially near open areas like clearings or along the edge of forests. It prefers areas with large, mature trees that provide cavities for nesting. The trees can be oak, beech, birch, or other deciduous species. Ideal habitat has a mix of dense forest and more open undergrowth. The birds forage for insects in the open areas and take shelter in the trees. Parks, orchards, large gardens, and similar semi-open, wooded habitats also attract pied flycatchers.
Where are the best places to see pied flycatcher in Europe?
Some of the top sites in Europe for observing pied flycatcher include:
- Woodlands in central and eastern England such as Sherwood Forest, Thetford Forest, and various woods in the Peak District.
- Ancient oak woodlands in Wales such as Dyfi Forest and Coed y Brenin.
- Native pinewoods in Scotland including Glen Affric, Rothiemurchus Forest, and Abernethy Forest.
- Deciduous forests along the coasts of France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
- Woodlands in Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania.
- Parks and gardens in urban areas across much of Europe.
Some specific sites known for pied flycatchers include Białowieża Forest in Poland, Morvan Regional Nature Park in France, and Hokkaido University Botanical Gardens in Japan. Wherever you are in Europe, check for woodlands, parks, and gardens from April through July to spot these birds.
What are the best places to see pied flycatcher in Asia?
Good sites for seeing pied flycatcher in Asia include:
- Deciduous forests in northern and western Russia such as near St. Petersburg and in the Ural Mountains region.
- Riparian woodlands along rivers in central Russia and western Siberia.
- Pine and birch forests in southern Siberia, Mongolia, and northeastern China.
- Hill forests in northern India, Nepal, and Bhutan.
- Temperate broadleaf and mixed forests in northern and central Japan.
- Gardens and parks with mature trees in cities across Russia, China, and Japan.
Some specific locations where the birds can be found include Tomskaya Pisanitsa National Park in Russia, Changbai Mountains in China, and Shiretoko National Park in Japan. Be on the lookout in northern forests and wooded areas from spring through fall.
What time of year is best for seeing pied flycatchers?
The best time is during the spring and summer breeding season, which varies across the range:
- Western Europe: May to July
- Central Europe: April to July
- Eastern Europe: May to August
- Western Russia: May to July
- Central and Eastern Russia: June to August
- Japan: May to September
This is when the birds are most active singing and foraging as they establish breeding territories and raise young. In autumn, most pied flycatchers migrate south to sub-Saharan Africa although some overwinter in southern Europe.
What are the best ways to spot pied flycatcher?
Here are some tips for finding and observing pied flycatchers:
- Walk slowly along woodland edges or forest trails listening and looking for movement.
- Scan the upper branches of trees for perching birds.
- Listen for the call, a distinctive “wheep” sound.
- Look for birds flying out from cavities as you approach.
- Use recorded pied flycatcher songs to attract them.
- Sit quietly in an area and wait for them to appear.
- Try wooded areas near waterfeatures where insects congregate.
- Focus efforts during early morning and evening when the birds are most active.
What do pied flycatchers look like?
Pied flycatchers are small songbirds, 12-14 cm in length and weighing 14-20 grams. Distinctive identification features include:
- Males have black upperparts, white underparts, and white forehead patch.
- Females are duller brown above with brown streaked underparts.
- Both sexes have a narrow white wing bar visible in flight.
- Juveniles resemble females but are streaked below.
- Dark bill and eyes stand out against pale head pattern.
- Long wings and tail, often cocked upright.
- Upright posture while perching.
In flight, look for the white patches on wings and forehead along with a small, slender body shape. When perched, watch for upright stance on branches and persistent tail bobbing.
What do pied flycatchers eat?
Pied flycatchers are insectivores, feeding on a wide variety of small flying insects and other invertebrates. Their diverse diet includes:
- Flies
- Butterflies and moths
- Bees
- Wasps
- Beetles
- Spiders
- Caterpillars
They capture most prey on the wing after short flying sallies from an elevated perch. They also glean insects from leaves and branches while hovering briefly. Adults feed insects to their young during the breeding season.
What is the pied flycatcher’s breeding behavior?
Pied flycatchers breed in cavities, either natural hollows or old woodpecker holes. They exhibit the following breeding behaviors:
- Males arrive before females to establish nest sites.
- Females choose a mate and nest site then builds a nest of grass, moss, feathers, etc.
- Clutch size is 5-7 eggs, sometimes up to 9.
- Female incubates eggs for 13-15 days.
- Both parents feed nestlings for 13-17 days until fledging.
- May raise 2 broods per season.
- Nestlings leave cavity at 16-18 days old.
- Parents continue feeding fledglings for 2-3 weeks.
Males sing loudly from high perches to defend territories and attract mates. They may use the same nest site in successive years.
Are pied flycatchers territorial?
Yes, pied flycatchers exhibit territorial behavior especially during the breeding season. Males defend nesting territories with the following behaviors:
- Perch prominently and sing to proclaim ownership.
- Conduct aerial attacks and chases against intruders.
- Threat postures like wingflicking and bill snapping.
- Fight physically with intruding males.
- Females defend areas around the nest.
Their nesting territories are small, often just a single tree or clump of trees surrounding the nest. Non-breeding territories at migration stopover sites are larger as birds compete for food resources.
How can you attract pied flycatchers?
Here are some tips for attracting pied flycatchers to your yard or observation area:
- Provide nest boxes – they readily use bird houses.
- Have a mix of open and wooded areas.
- Let dead trees stand and leaves litter the ground.
- Avoid pesticide use.
- Offer fruits like raisins and currants.
- Provide suet feeders with insect larva.
- Add dripping water sources.
- Let fallen branches and leaf litter accumulate.
Ideal habitat contains mature deciduous trees, open understory for foraging, and available nest cavities. Maintaining these features will go a long way toward enticing pied flycatchers to visit your property.
Where can I observe pied flycatcher nesting behavior?
Some of the best places to observe pied flycatchers during the breeding season and watch nesting behaviors include:
- Woodland field research stations with nest boxes like in the UK and Netherlands.
- Nature preserves with established trails that pass known nest sites.
- Parks, gardens, and protected areas where the birds nest yearly.
- Private property where landowners have permitted access.
- Sites with blinds set up specifically for nest observation.
When looking for nests, go slowly and watch for adults carrying nest material or food. Note that nests in cavities will be hard to see directly. Focus on watching adult behavior to detect active nests. Avoid stressing or flushing the birds. And be sure to follow all access rules and regulations.
Can pied flycatchers be spotted outside the breeding range?
Yes, pied flycatchers can sometimes be seen outside their core breeding range in Europe and Asia during migration periods while traveling to and from wintering grounds. Key opportunities include:
- Spring migration along the Mediterranean coast.
- Atlantic islands like the Canaries and Azores.
- Northern Africa coast in autumn.
- Israel and Middle East in spring and fall.
- Vagrants to Britain and Ireland year-round.
Seasonal appearance and habitat use varies. Check recent eBird reports to find out where migrating pied flycatchers are being spotted each season.
Are pied flycatchers declining?
Unfortunately, pied flycatcher populations have been declining in parts of their range in recent decades. Potential threats and causes include:
- Habitat loss, especially wintering grounds in Africa.
- Nest competition from great spotted woodpeckers.
- Declining insect prey populations.
- Increased predation, e.g. from great spotted woodpeckers.
- Climate change disrupting migration and breeding.
- Parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds in North America.
Conservation measures like protecting woodlands, maintaining dead trees, providing nestboxes, and reducing pesticide use can potentially help reverse the declines. Ongoing monitoring is critical to track populations.
Conclusion
The charismatic pied flycatcher offers a rewarding species for birders across Eurasia to look for in spring and summer. Watch for these agile insect-eaters in mature deciduous and mixed woodlands, parks, gardens, and similar semi-open habitats. Listen for their calls and songs, watch for aerial chasing displays, and you’ll be delighted when a male with his distinctive black-and-white plumage zips out to catch a flying insect. With appropriate habitat and nest sites provided, these lively songbirds will hopefully continue brightening woodlands with their presence for years to come.