Discover The 10 Most Beautiful Flycatchers In The World

by Lucy Guo on Oct 21, 2024
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    Flycatchers are an exciting family of birds that may be described based on their flying colors and species type, and there are many of them. Almost all of the birds you will find here are flying insects feeders and these birds rely on excellent vision and swift flying to capture the insects in mid-air.

    These bird species have been identified in more than 400 species and are found in almost any habitat, ranging from tropical rainforests to temperate forests. In this article, we will delve into the ten most beautiful flycatchers in the world, along with a distinctive feature of each.

    1.    African Paradise Flycatcher

    African Paradise Flycatcher

    Size: 6.3 to 7.5 inches

    Appearance: Males have an attractive long tail, a chestnut brown body, a black head, and a blue ring around the eyes. Females are smaller and have shorter tails than males, and their coloration is similar but less bright.

    Weight: 12 to 23 grams

    Beak Type: Moderate-sized and opening widely to catch insects while in flight.

    Wing Type: Small, fat, and almost like a ball, to turn quickly in the air.

    Call: A high-pitched, metallic sound that clicked like the letter T.

    Life Span: Up to 8 years in the wild.

    Feeding Habits: Mainly feeds on insects which it catches in the air by its rapid, jerky flight.

    Habitat Range: Distributed in the sub-Saharan Africa woodland and savanna habitats and forests.

    Nesting and Breeding Behaviors: The nest is a cup-like structure placed at tree forks, and both sexes feed the young. They typically lay 2-3 eggs.

    2.    Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

    Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

    Size: 5.5 inches

    Appearance: A small bird with olive-green upperparts, bright yellow underparts, and two broad white wing bars.

    Weight: 9 to 14 grams

    Beak Type: Broad, flat beak designed for catching flying insects.

    Wing Type: Features of the aircraft include rounded wings for quick and easy maneuvering.

    Call: A peep or a chee-bunk or pee-wee, short and crisp.

    Life Span: Around 4 to 7 years.

    Feeding Habits: Insectivorous, they feed on flies, beetles, and some other small insects.

    Habitat Range: Lives in the boreal forests of North America and flies down to Central America in winter.

    Nesting and Breeding Behaviors: Forms domed nests on or near the ground, invisible in mossy banks. It lays 3-4 eggs per clutch.

    3.    Asian Paradise Flycatcher

    Asian Paradise Flycatcher

    Size: 5 to 8 inches; tail length may be up to 12 inches in males.

    Appearance: Males have an extremely long tail, bright white or rufous plumage, and a striking black head with a blue eye ring. Females are chestnut-colored with a shorter tail۔

    Weight: 18 to 22 grams

    Beak Type: Small, short, and slightly curved at the tip for snatching insects on the wing.

    Wing Type: Small and sharp to enable rapid change in air movements.

    Call: A light 'tswee' or a harsh 'tszee'.

    Life Span: Approximately seven years.

    Feeding Habits: Its diet consists mainly of insects and other small flying invertebrates.

    Habitat Range: It is in South and Southeast Asia and prefers tropical and subtropical forests.

    Nesting and Breeding Behaviors: They make their nests in tree holes and build small cup-shaped nests. This species nests 3-4 eggs, and both the male and female are involved in the incubation process.

    4.    Vermilion Flycatcher

    Vermilion Flycatcher

    Size: 5 to 6 inches

    Appearance: The males are bright red with black wings, back, and face, while the females are dull brownish grey with pale underparts and a hint of red.

    Weight: 11 to 14 grams

    Beak Type: Small and wide mouth used in catching insects.

    Wing Type: Broad wings for fast flying.

    Call: A short, high tone may be given singly or in succession.

    Life Span: Around 4 to 6 years.

    Feeding Habits: It eats other insects that fly, including beetles, flies, and grasshoppers.

    Habitat Range: Lives in the open country, grasslands, deserts, and agricultural lands in the southwestern part of the United States, Mexico, and South America.

    Nesting and Breeding Behaviors: Nests are small, cup-like structures placed at the tree's fork, and the female usually lays 2-3 eggs per season.

    5.    Spotted Flycatcher

    Spotted Flycatcher

    Size: 5.5 to 6 inches

    Appearance: Dull pale brownish-grey upperparts, streaked underparts and chest, and white underparts.

    Weight: 14 to 18 grams

    Beak Type: Small, horizontal bill ideal for capturing airborne prey.

    Wing Type: Tapered and extended, allowing fast and flexible flying.

    Call: A small, soft, and sharp tone like a 'tseet'.

    Life Span: 5 to 7 years.

    Feeding Habits: The diet consists of flying insects, including moths, flies, and beetles, and they mainly hunt from a fixed point.

    Habitat Range: Species of Europe and western Asia that fly to Africa in winter.

    Nesting and Breeding Behaviors: Lives in tree holes or tree crevices. It usually nests 3-6 eggs, and both the parents tend to feed the chicks.

    6.    Great Crested Flycatcher

    Great Crested Flycatcher

    Size: 7 to 9 inches

    Appearance: An olive upper part of the body, a yellow underpart, and an orange-red tail.

    Weight: 21 to 27 grams

    Beak Type: Long, but not very sharp, beak perfect for catching giant insects.

    Wing Type: Long and broad to support deep and practical gliding.

    Call: A high-pitched screech that is very loud or similar to a high-pitched, hoarse "whee-eep" or "creet."

    Life Span: 6 to 9 years.

    Feeding Habits: It mainly feeds on large insects such as beetles, wasps, butterflies, etc. But, it also eats fruits and berries.

    Habitat Range: Commonly found in the woodlands and forests of the eastern part of North America.

    Nesting and Breeding Behaviors: These birds live in tree holes or old woodpecker's holes and use several materials for nest construction. They typically lay 4-6 eggs.

    7.    Royal Flycatcher

    Royal Flycatcher

    Size: 6 to 7 inches

    Appearance: The color of the bird is brownish, and the male has a striking fan-like crest, which he uses during courtship, and this is colored red, yellow, and blue.

    Weight: 14 to 17 grams

    Beak Type: A relatively long and slightly curved beak used to capture prey of insects.

    Wing Type: Small and wide, to enable it to move quickly in the forest

    Call: A series of high-pitched "wheet" notes.

    Life Span: Around six years.

    Feeding Habits: It mainly has a diet of insects and small invertebrates and mostly forages on vegetation.

    Habitat Range: This species is native to lowland forests of Mexico, Canada, and Central and South America.

    Nesting and Breeding Behaviors: They construct a suspension nest made from plant material on branches and cliffs. They typically lay 2-3 eggs.

    8.    Dusky-capped Flycatcher

    Dusky-capped Flycatcher

    Size: 7 inches

    Appearance: It has brownish-olive upperparts with a pale yellow belly and a very faint crest on the head.

    Weight: 20 grams

    Beak Type: A small, wide mouth for capturing insects in the air.

    Wing Type: Round-shaped wings for quick and flexible flying.

    Call: A long hissing sound like when the train is passing through wheeer or peeer.

    Life Span: Around 5 to 6 years.

    Feeding Habits: Insectivorous, hawking for flies, beetles, and wasps in the air and occasionally taking fruits.

    Habitat Range: Woodland and scrub habitats of Central and South America.

    Nesting and Breeding Behaviors: This species has a cavity-nesting habit and lays 2-3 eggs in a single clutch. Both parents share in the responsibility of feeding the young.

    9.    Fork-tailed Flycatcher

    Fork-tailed Flycatcher

    Size: The total length of the long tail is 15 inches.

    Appearance: White on the belly and undertail coverts; black head, neck, upperparts, and wings; long and notched tail.

    Weight: 28 to 33 grams

    Beak Type: Small, strong, straight, short, and thick beaks adapted for capturing flying insects.

    Wing Type: The most important distinguishing characteristic of this subfamily is the long, narrow wings, which are suitable for fast, agile flight.

    Call: A harsh "klee-klee" or "pip."

    Life Span: 5 to 7 years.

    Feeding Habits: Mainly carnivorous and feeds on flies, grasshoppers, and beetles while in flight.

    Habitat Range: Lives in grasslands, savannas, and farms in Central and South American countries.

    Nesting and Breeding Behaviors: Breeds in low shrubs or small trees and lays 2 to 3 eggs. In both species, the parents are responsible for the upbringing of the offspring or the chicks.

    10.   Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

    Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

    Size: 14 to 15 inches.

    Appearance: A pale gray color on the body, pink on the sides, and a long tail that is deeply forked.

    Weight: 43 grams

    Beak Type: Small, flat, and broadbill perfect for foraging insects.

    Wing Type: A long pair of wings suitable for a delicate and highly agile flyer.

    Call: A sharp, rapid "kip-kip-kip."

    Life Span: 10 to 15 years.

    Feeding Habits: Its diet mainly consists of insects, including grasshoppers and beetles, which it catches while they are still in flight.

    Habitat Range: It is native to the open country, prairies, and grasslands of the Southern United States and Mexico.

    Nesting and Breeding Behaviors: They live in trees or shrubs and lay 3-6 eggs in a nest. Males also exhibit acrobatic aerial displays during courtship rituals.

    Conclusion

    Flycatchers are one of the largest and most beautiful genera of singing birds, active and conspicuous for their habits. From the bright red coloration of the Vermilion Flycatcher to the beautiful tail-like appendages of the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, these birds are stunning in all kinds of environments the world over. Flycatchers are extremely valuable for their environments, whether flying in the trees, over the meadows, or capturing insects on the wing.

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