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.
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.
Spotted flycatchers are diurnal birds. They usually spend time singly or in pairs or small family groups but during migration can form large flocks. They hunt from conspicuous perches, making sallies after passing flying insects, and often returning to the same perch. These small birds can always be recognized by their characteristic upright posture. Their call is a thin, drawn out soft, and high-pitched 'tssssseeeeeppppp', slightly descending in pitch.
Spotted flycatchers are serially monogamous and form pairs that remain together during one breeding season. They are solitary and territorial nesters. Usually the female builds the nest in a suitable recess, often against a tree trunk or wall, in a hole in a tree, branch, or stump, and will also readily adapt to an open-fronted nest box. The female then lays 4-6 eggs and incubates them for about 13 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and remain in the nest for 12-17 days. Spotted flycatchers usually produce two broods per season.
Although Spotted flycatchers are not considered threatened, in some parts of Europe, these birds suffer from habitat loss, climate changes, and shortage of insects due to pollution and insecticides.
According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of the Spotted flycatcher is 54,000,000-83,000,000 mature individuals. In Europe, the breeding population consists of 14,900,000-22,700,000 pairs, which equates to 29,700,000-45,500,000 mature individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List, but its numbers today are decreasing.
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