FLYCATCHER, the name for birds of the family Muscica pidae, the best known of which is the spotted flycatcher (Musci capa grisola), a summer visitor to most of Europe. It is a small grey bird, fond of perching on railings or posts, whence, ever and anon, it darts to snap up some passing insects. The call note is plaintive. It builds a neat nest among the twigs which sprout from the bole of a tree, in a hole in a wall and similar places. It lays four to six pale greenish-blue eggs, freckled with rust-colour.
The pied flycatcher (34. atricapilla) is more of a woodland bird and is less common. It has an agreeable song, and the plumage of the cock is black and white. Other species of this genus occur in Europe, Asia and Africa.
The paradise flycatchers (Tchitrea) are distinguished by the long tail-feathers and, usually, white plumage of the male. They are found in the forests of Africa and tropical Asia. The fantailed flycatchers (Rhipidura) are Australian; they have the curious habit of turning over in the air, like a tumbler pigeon. Several other genera inhabit Africa and Australia.
The name "flycatcher" is also used for other insectivorous birds; e.g., certain of the Tyrannidae (see KING-BIRD).