adult

adult juvenile European distribution adult perched

Identification

In plumage these are classic dull brown birds, not spotted at all but with a necklace of delicate streaks across the breast. When perched they usually sit upright and often look legless. Long wings and a fine but broad bill are additional useful features.

Habitat

Breeds in mature open woodlands, parks and gardens.

Behaviour

Spotted Flycatchers tend to feed more in the open than other flycatchers and therefore are easier to watch catching prey in the manner typical of this family. This usually involves sitting still for long periods, until the sight of a flying insect causes the Flycatcher to leap onto the air and catch the insect with an audible snap of the bill.

Migration

The Spotted Flycatcher is a long-distance migrant with birds travelling to sub-Saharan Africa, south of the equator during October-November. Most of this migration takes place during the night.

This information is taken from the BirdFile on the appropriate BirdGuides DVD-ROM. As well as video and sounds, our CD- and DVD-ROMs contain additional text on Voice, Sexing, Ageing, Food, Nests and Eggs and more.

For the purposes of our bird news services, Spotted Flycatcher is classed as Common: common species, including species that are certain or probable escapees from captivity when occurring in the British Isles. (Note that rarity levels are currently applied nationally and may not reflect local variations in abundance.)

Garden in Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 01/09/2010	Blakeney Pt, Norfolk 01/09/2010	Brent Resr, London 30/08/2010	Steps Hill, Bucks 28/08/2010	Strensall Cmn, N Yorks 28/08/2010
Strathconon, Highland 22/08/2010	Landguard NR, Suffolk 24/08/2010	Landguard NR, Suffolk 24/08/2010	Alkborough Flats, Lincs 25/08/2010	Minsmere RSPB, Suffolk 24/08/2010

 View all pictures of Spotted Flycatcher

Spotted Flycatcher breeds in the following countries (Bird News Extra subscribers will see population statistics and information on trends for each country):

Albania
Andorra
Armenia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Belgium
Britain
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lichtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malta
Moldova
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Serbia and Montenegro
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Ukraine

http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob13350.htm   BTO BirdFacts: Spotted Flycatcher	Edit this link
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	Norfolk Spotted Flycatcher Project 2006	Thursday 4th May 2006
	The aims of this study are to determine the preferred habitat and site fidelity of this species in Norfolk, and to monitor their breeding success and overwinter survival.   read on
	Norfolk Spotted Flycatcher Project 2005	Thursday 28th April 2005
	The aims of this study are to determine the preferred habitat and site fidelity of the Spotted Flycatcher in Norfolk, and to monitor their breeding success and overwinter survival - can you help?   read on

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