ODNR Division of Wildlife - A to Z Species Guide - Great Crested Flycatcher

Great Crested Flycatcher

Photo by Richard Day/Daybreak Imagery

Flycatchers are stocky birds with large heads and big mouths. The bill is broad and flattened. They usually fly out from exposed perches to capture insects on the wing and then return to the perch to eat. Wing bars and eye rings are important identifying characteristics, but the song must be heard for positive identification of some species.

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Great Crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus crinitus

At-a-Glance

• Incubation: 13-15 days

• Clutch Size: 4-8 eggs

• Young Fledge: 12-21 days after hatching

• Typical Foods: insects and fruit

Description
The great crested flycatcher is our largest flycatcher. They have brownish upperparts, with a gray throat, yellow belly, and rufous wings and tail. The base of the lower mandible is pale in color.

Habitat and Habits
This flycatcher inhabits all types of deciduous forests, but requires some large trees and prefers forest openings or edges. The great crested flycatcher may even be found in wooded parks and occasionally in heavily treed neighborhoods. Their call is a very loud, whistled wheep and a raucous rattling call that carries a considerable distance.

Reproduction and Care of the Young
This bird typically nests in cavities and can sometimes be enticed to use appropriate nest boxes. The nest itself is bulky and lined with any kind of available material.