23-5-2016 - LA SAFOR, VALENCIA - SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa striata)

The Spotted flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) is a small passerine bird found in most of Europe, Africa, and Asia. This species was described by the German naturalist Peter Simon Pallas in 1764 and has five recognized subspecies. It is declining in parts of its range.

The Spotted flycatcher is a slim bird with dull grey-brown upperparts and off-white underparts. The crown, throat, and breast are streaked with brown while the wings and tail feathers are edged with paler thin margins. The subspecies M. s. tyrrhenica has paler and warmer plumage on the upperparts, with more diffuse markings on the head and breast. The sexes are alike. Juveniles have ochre-buff spots above and scaly brown spots below.

Spotted flycatchers occur in Europe and in the Palearctic to Siberia, and winter in Africa and southwestern Asia. They prefer deciduous or woodlands, parks, and gardens with open areas amongst trees.

Population size

54-83 Mln

Life Span

2-8 years

Weight

14-20

goz

g oz 

Length

15

cminch

cm inch 

Wingspan

24

cminch

cm inch