- How to recognize the Spotted Flycatcher
- Support the spotted spotted flycatcher in the garden: This is how it works
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Wondering what spotted flycatchers look like and how to spot spotted spotted flycatcher eggs? Then read our Spotted Flycatcher profile, which contains pictures and interesting information.
The spotted flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) is a rather inconspicuous contemporary. It is a fairly common, native breeding bird, which is also very widespread. It occurs in almost all of Europe and even as far as north-eastern Mongolia. The spotted flycatcher belongs to the flycatcher family (Muscicapidae), which is known for its eponymous way of hunting: the birds spot their prey from high vantage points and then "snatch" several insects at once in flight. So that you have the opportunity to observe this spectacle for yourself, we will tell you everything you need to know about the habitat, purpose and support options for the spotted spotted flycatcher.
How to recognize the Spotted Flycatcher
The name of the spotted flycatcher says it all: the medium-sized songbirds have inconspicuous gray plumage. However, the back, head and elytra are slightly darker than the light gray underside, creating a slight contrast. The birds are also distinguished by fine, dark stripes that run across their chests and foreheads.
Grayflycatchers are often seen very prominently on treetops or other high vantage points looking out for flying insects.
What does the spotted flycatcher song sound like?
The song of the Spotted Flycatcher is seldom heard and just as inconspicuous as the bird itself. It consists of a series of high but harsh tones: “Tip-tip-tweak-tweak…”. Spotted flycatcher calls are similarly inconspicuous and difficult to distinguish from those of other species.
The spotted flycatcher song sounds like this:
How do you recognize a young spotted flycatcher?
Young spotted spotted flycatchers are already clearly recognizable as such. Their plumage is of the same basic color as that of the adult animals and the stripes on the forehead and chest are already pronounced. However, their upper side is covered with conspicuous, bright spots andtheir underside mottled dark, which distinguishes them from their parents.
What do spotted flycatcher eggs look like?
Spotcatchers lay beige eggs, about 2 centimeters in size, covered with brown or rust-red spots. The eggs are laid in a nest made of moss, stalks or twigs, the cavity of which is padded with fine feathers or hair. Sometimes cobwebs are also used to strengthen the nests. A brood usually consists of 4 to 5 eggs.
Which habitat does the Spotted Flycatcher prefer?
Since spotted flycatchers prefer to spot their prey from high vantage points, they need a well-structured habitat with tall trees or hedges. They naturally inhabit sparse forests, but are also found in parks, cemeteries or gardens. In fact, the majority of spotted flycatchers now live in close proximity to humans, as settlements and cities are far more common than sparse forests, and buildings have proven to be good alternative breeding grounds.
Where does the Spotted Flycatcher build its nest?
When choosing a nesting site, spotted flycatchers have proven to be extremely creative. They prefer to use cave- or niche-like structures, such as knotholes, crevices in broken trees, cavities behind protruding tree bark or holes in facades and other building niches. Occasionally, nests are also built free-standing or on the ground.
When is the breeding season of the spotted spotted flycatcher?
The breeding season of spotted flycatchers lasts from May to July. During this time, many pairs even create two broods. The incubation itself is the task of the female and lasts between 10 and 15 days. After that, both parents take care of the offspring. The development of the young birds in the nest takes about two weeks. If a second brood follows, the offspring of the first clutch help to care for their younger siblings.
Hint: Grayflycatchers, unlike most songbirds, have learned to distinguish their eggs from those of other birds. They are therefore armed against the deceptive maneuvers of the cuckoo, which likes to lay its eggs in other people's nests and has its young raised by other parents. Cuckoo eggs are therefore not hatched by spotted flycatchers.
Where do spotted flycatchers spend the winter?
Greycatchers only spend onequite small part of the year with us. In late year, the songbirds migrate south to escape our cold winter months. Since they feed almost exclusively on insects, they have to follow the heat and thus the food supply. Spotted flycatchers are long-distance migrants and cover large distances. Most animals overwinter south of the Sahara in tropical Africa. They do not return to their breeding grounds until May or even early June. This makes them one of the birds that return to us the latest.
Support the spotted spotted flycatcher in the garden: This is how it works
Precisely because spotted flycatchers are so inconspicuous, it is always a small sense of achievement when you see one of the little birds. Find out here how you can support the songbirds in your own garden and offer them a home.
What do spotted flycatchers eat?
Grapeflycatchers feed primarily on insects, which they snatch from the air in flight. They hunt flies, bumblebees, beetles and even butterflies. They rarely search for food on the ground, but in bad weather they also eat worms, other small animals or berries.
You cannot support the spotted flycatcher with classic bird feed, but you can still do something good for the songbirds by designing an insect-friendly garden. Native flowering plants attract numerous small visitors to the garden, who pollinate your flowers, fight pests and serve as food for garden birds. You can create such a flower meadow quickly and easily, for example with our Plantura beneficial insect magnet. With this seed mixture you can create a long-lasting paradise for little garden visitors in no time at all.
Which nest boxes are suitable for spotted flycatchers?
Once the food supply has been covered, you can also provide sufficient nesting opportunities. Because spotted flycatchers are very happy to accept artificial nesting aids. If you want to make or buy a nesting box yourself, you should use a semi-hollow box in this case. These differ from the classic tit or full cavity boxes because they do not have a small entry hole but a large entry opening on the front. For the targeted promotion of spotted flycatchers, this entrance opening should be 6 cm high. However, there are also half-shell nesting aids that are also suitable for spotted flycatchers.
Hint:In theory, any type of cup-shaped nesting aid would be appealing to a spotted flycatcher. So feel free to get creative here. You can even use a flower bowl for this. However, make sure to place the nesting aid at a height of at least 2m and in a cat-safe location.
How can you support the spotted spotted flycatcher?
In addition to a wide range of insects, spotted flycatchers are also happy about a watering hole in the garden. Especially on hot days this can be a welcome refreshment. You don't need to buy a special bird bath either - a flat bowl or trivet will suffice. Depending on the size, such a water point can also function as a bird bath, because there is no real difference between a bird bath and a bird trough.
Note: Make sure to clean your water point regularly. Otherwise, it can quickly become a breeding ground for infectious diseases, especially at high temperatures. It is therefore best to clean your bird bath every day on hot days.
By the way, numerous other garden birds like a refreshing bird bath, such as the dunnock, the black redstart or the yellowhammer.