Great-crested Flycatcher

Great_Crested_Flycatcher

Great Crested Flycatchers are brown on the back with a yellow belly and gray throat. They have reddish flashes in the wing and tail feathers. The crest is not very obvious.

  • Myiarchus crinitus
  • Length: 6.7 – 8.3 in (17 – 21 cm)
  • Weight: 0.9 – 1.4 oz (27 – 40 g)
  • Wingspan: 13.4 in (34 cm)

Range

Great Crested Flycatchers breed over much of eastern North America and spend the winter in southern Florida, southern Mexico, and Central America.

Habitat And Diet

Great-crested Flycatchers sit perched up high in woodland, waiting for large flying insects, such as butterflies, grasshoppers, moths, wasps, and spiders.

They can be found in mixed woodlands and at the edges of clearings, parks, and tree-lined neighborhoods or perched on fenceposts or other artificial structures. They will also eat berries and small fruit.

Great-crested Flycatcher Call:

Nests

Nests of Great-crested Flycatchers are often built by the female in tree cavities, nest boxes, and other man-made structures. She will use plant fibers like grasses, moss, and leaves and soften the nest with animal fur and feathers.

The female will lay four to eight eggs and be incubated for about two weeks until they hatch. The young will stay in the nest for another two weeks being cared for by both parents.

Attract Great-crested Flycatchers

Attract Great Crested Flycatchers to your backyard by planting native species of plants and leaving brush piles to attract insects. Also, plant berry-producing plants and put up a nest box as they readily take up residence in them.

Fun Fact:

Apart from the usual nest materials, Great-crested Flycatchers also weave shed snakeskin into their nests. Sometimes they will use onion skins and plastic wrappers which are available in urban settings.