A bold lemon-bellied flycatcher of the high canopy with a rolling "wheep!" call. Often the only North American flycatcher to nest in tree cavities — and famously includes shed snake skin in the nest lining.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The great crested flycatcher is a large insect-eating bird of the tyrant flycatcher family. It is the most widespread member of the genus Myiarchus in North America, and is found over most of the eastern and mid-western portions of the continent. It dwells mostly in the treetops and rarely is found on the ground.
Source: Wikipedia — Great crested flycatcher Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Olive-brown above, lemon-yellow below; distinctive rolling "wheep!" call.
Similar species. Other flycatcher species. Brown-crested Flycatcher (similar but different range).
Voice. Loud rolling "wheep!" call.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Insects (caterpillars, beetles, ants); occasionally fruit.
Behavior. Bold lemon-bellied flycatcher of the high canopy. Often includes snake skin in nest lining.
§ Range
Eastern US and Canada in summer; winters in southern Mexico and Central America
§ Habitat
Mature deciduous woods, woodland edges, suburban yards with large trees
§ Threats
Loss of large dead trees with cavities (snag removal), pesticide effects on flying insects.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the great crested flycatcher is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Leave dead and dying trees standing if safe. Install large nest boxes (4-inch hole). Skip pesticides.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Great crested flycatcher
- www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Myiarchus crinitus
- IUCN Red List · taxon 22699824
- iNaturalist · taxon 5161
- eBird · gcrfly
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Myiarchus crinitus
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab — All About Birds
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List 2018
