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Sound clips and movies require Adobe Flash player. Latin nameFicedula hypoleuca FamilyFlycatchers (Muscicapidae) OverviewThe pied flycatcher is a small, flycatching bird, slightly smaller than a house sparrow. The male is mostly black on the upperparts and white underneath, with a bold white patch on the folded wing. Females are browner. It is a summer visitor and breeds mainly in western areas, spending the winter in West Africa. Where to see themFound in mature woodlands mainly to the west of the UK, not in N Ireland. The valleys and hillsides of Wales are a good place to look for breeding birds in summer and the RSPB's Nagshead reserve has a good population. You may also see it in spring and autumn at coastal migration watchpoints. When to see themLate April to September What they eatInsects and caterpillars; fruit and seeds in late summer and on migration. Estimated numbers
* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn. Distribution
Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations. Find out moreAudio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100) |
 Male  Female Similar birdsHelp the Pied flycatcherThe RSPB is working for a better environment for birds and people. Join today and add your voice. |
Oak sapling - Niall Benvie
Male pied flycatcher perching on branch - Andy Holt
Bird illustrations by Mike Langman (RSPB)