Latin name

Muscicapa striata

Family

Flycatchers (Muscicapidae)

Where to see them

Churchyards, cemeteries, parks and mature gardens are good places. Spotted flycatchers are often found in woodland with open glades – good for catching insects. During the breeding season spotted flycatchers can be found throughout the UK, although they are scarce in the far north and west and almost absent from Scottish islands. High densities are found from Devon and Kent as far north as Scotland.

When to see them

They're one of the later spring migrants to arrive, not turning up until late April or early May. They leave around September.

What 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.

Population

Spotted flycatcher

• Size: robin-sized or smaller
• Feather colours: brown, white, grey, cream/buff
• Beak colours: black/dark grey
• Beak length: short
• Beak thickness: short
• Leg colour: black/grey, brown
• Behaviour: part of flock, wagging or flicking tail, bird hops on the ground, catches insects in flight

• 
  Pied flycatcher