Great Crested Flycatcher
ExploreBirds
Great Crested Flycatcher
myiarchus crinitus
The Great Crested Flycatcher is a charismatic, vocal member of the tyrant flycatcher family, well-known for its bold personality and unique nesting habits. Found throughout the deciduous forests of eastern North America during the breeding season, this bird prefers to stay high in the canopy, making its presence known with a loud, ringing 'wheep' call. It is one of the larger flycatchers in its range, easily recognized by its bright lemon-yellow belly and striking rufous tail feathers. What truly captures the imagination of birdwatchers is their bizarre habit of weaving shed snake skins into their nests. This behavior, likely intended to scare off nest predators, showcases their resourcefulness. Highly aerial and fiercely territorial, they are delightful to watch as they perform acrobatic maneuvers to snatch insects out of mid-air.
Habitat: Found in deciduous forests, open woodlands, orchards, and forest edges across eastern North America.
Appearance
This medium-sized songbird is distinguished by an olive-brown back, a soft grey throat and breast, and a vibrant lemon-yellow belly. Its wings and tail feature prominent rufous highlights that create a warm, reddish-brown flash of color when in flight. It possesses a bushy crest on its head that it can raise when excited or alarmed, giving it a distinctive, wild-headed appearance. It has a stout, dark bill with a tiny hook at the tip, perfect for capturing prey, and a wingspan reaching up to 36 centimeters.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyTyrannidaeGenusMyiarchus
Category
BirdsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
14
Interesting facts
They are highly territorial during the nesting season and will chase away much larger animals, including squirrels and other bird species.
This bird is famous for lining its nest with shed snakeskins, but in urban areas, it will readily use clear plastic wrappers or cellophane instead.
Unlike most other North American flycatchers, the Great Crested Flycatcher nest exclusively in cavities, using woodpecker holes or nest boxes.
Special abilities
Ability
Nest Decorating
Weaves shed snake skins, onion skins, or plastic trash into its nest cavity to scare off potential predators.
Ability
Sallying flight
Launches from a high perch to perform tight, acrobatic aerial maneuvers to capture flying insects mid-air before returning to the perch.
Ability
Canopy Sentinel
Employs a loud, piercing call that carries through dense tree lines to announce territories and warn of predators.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 17-21 cm
- Wingspan
- 31-36 cm
- Weight
- 0.027-0.04 kg
- Lifespan
- 5-10 years
- Speed
- 35 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 4-8
- Incubation
- 13-15 days
- Migration Distance
- 4000 km
Diet & Feeding
Primarily feeds on flying insects caught in mid-air, supplemented by spiders, beetles, and occasionally small fruits or berries.
Age differences: Nestlings are fed soft-bodied insects and caterpillars, while adults eat a wider variety of harder-shelled insects and berries.
Primary Foods
- Beetles
- Caterpillars
- Cicadas
- Butterflies
- Berries
Foraging Method
- Ambush
Ecological connections
Competitor
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
Competes aggressively for nesting cavities in mature woodlands.
Eaten by
Black Ratsnake
Pantherophis obsoletus
Preys upon the eggs and nestlings in tree cavities.
Eaten by
Broad-winged Hawk
Buteo platypterus
Preys upon adult flycatchers during the breeding season.
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Great Crested Flycatcher?
Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.
How long is Great Crested Flycatcher?
17-21 cm
What is Great Crested Flycatcher's wingspan?
31-36 cm
How much does Great Crested Flycatcher weigh?
0.027-0.04 kg
How long does Great Crested Flycatcher live?
5-10 years
How fast can Great Crested Flycatcher move?
35 km/h
What does Great Crested Flycatcher eat?
Primarily feeds on flying insects caught in mid-air, supplemented by spiders, beetles, and occasionally small fruits or berries.
Where is Great Crested Flycatcher usually found?
Found in deciduous forests, open woodlands, orchards, and forest edges across eastern North America.
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Recent Snaps
Where to spot
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Historic District46 sightings50 species
Arkansas, US
Batesville East Main Historic District
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Historic District36 sightings50 species
Georgia, US
Brunswick Old Town Historic District
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Campus41 sightings50 species
Oklahoma, US
Chilocco Indian Agricultural School
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Historic District43 sightings50 species
South Carolina, US
Columbia Historic District I
You might spot Anole, Asian Lady Beetle, and Gulf Fritillary.
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Historic District47 sightings50 species
Massachusetts, US
Concord Monument Square-Lexington Road Historic District
You might spot Striped Wintergreen, Painted Turtle, and Canada Goose.
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National Park41 sightings50 species
Virginia, US
Fort Monroe National Monument
You might spot Eastern Gray Squirrel, Duck, and Northern Mockingbird.
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