At first glance, Spotted Flycatchers might seem a little dull, with brownish-grey feathers. It's better to think of them as beautiful in an understated way. Watch them for a short period and you'll be charmed by their fly-catching antics. Spotted Flycatchers fly from a high perch, dash out to grab a flying insect and return to the same spot.
Spotted Flycatchers declined by 88% between 1970 and 2018, putting them on the Red List of birds of high conservation concern.
You’re most likely to see Spotted Flycatchers in woodlands, as well as mature gardens and parks with lots of trees and other vegetation that support the insects they feed on. They will also use mature hedgerows with trees in farmland. Spotted Flycatchers are widespread across much of the UK.
As their name suggests, Spotted Flycatchers are masters at catching flies and other insects, such as butterflies, wasps and craneflies. You might see one sitting on a branch, before darting out to catch an unsuspecting insect as it flies past.
The Spotted Flycatcher’s call is a repetitive, high-pitched ‘tzee, tzee’. Its song is a series of scratchy warbles and higher-pitched notes.
Spotted Flycatchers build their open, cup-shaped nests on ledges in and around buildings and walled gardens, as well as on creepers climbing up walls and trees.
They eat flying insects, such as moths, butterflies, damselflies, craneflies and other tasty morsels. If the weather is bad, they can search trees and shrubs for other insect food.
