Great Crested Flycatcher

The Great Crested Flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus, is a robust bird of the tyrant flycatcher family. It is distinguished by its brownish upperparts and vibrant yellow underparts, complemented by a long, rusty brown tail and a pronounced bushy crest. This species exhibits no sexual dimorphism, meaning males and females are visually similar.

Identification Tips

Adults typically range from 17 to 21 cm in length, with a wingspan of about 34 cm. They weigh between 27 and 40 grams. The throat and breast are a muted grey, contrasting with the more vivid colours of the body. Observers should look for the bird's characteristic crest and listen for its distinctive calls when identifying this species.

Habitat

The Great Crested Flycatcher is most commonly found in deciduous forests and at the edges of clearings and mixed woodlands. It shows a preference for areas with an open canopy, such as second-growth forests or woodlands that have been selectively cut.

Distribution

This bird is widespread across eastern and mid-western North America, with its breeding range extending from the southern parts of Canada down through the eastern United States. It winters in southern Mexico, the Yucatán Peninsula, and along the coasts of Central America. Some populations are resident year-round in southern peninsular Florida.

Behaviour

The Great Crested Flycatcher dwells mostly in the treetops and is rarely found on the ground. It employs a sit-and-wait hunting strategy from high perches, often accompanied by head bobbing. It may also hover or crash into foliage to catch prey.

Song & Calls

The male's dawn song is a three-part whistle, starting with a "wheerreep," followed by a higher-pitched "whee," and ending with a soft low "churr." This song is typically heard just before dawn. The species also produces various calls, including a series of fast ascending "huit" sounds when stressed or excited, and a loud "whee-eep" for communication between mates or parents and offspring. Alarm or stress is indicated by a rapid succession of harsh rasps.

Breeding

Great Crested Flycatchers are socially monogamous, with some pairs reforming in subsequent years. Nest building is primarily the female's responsibility, with the male guarding closely. They prefer large cavities for nesting, whether natural or excavated by other species, and will also use man-made structures. The nest is composed of vegetation, plant fibres, and sometimes artificial materials. They lay a single clutch of 4-8 eggs, incubated solely by the female. After hatching, both parents feed the insect-dominated diet to the nestlings.

Diet and Feeding

Insects and other invertebrates constitute the majority of this bird's diet, although it will also consume small fruits and berries. It prefers butterflies, moths, beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, bees, and wasps over flies and spiders.

Conservation status

The Great Crested Flycatcher is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating it is not at immediate risk of population decline or habitat loss at a global scale.