Pied flycatcher

Scientific name: Ficedula hypoleuca

The pied flycatcher is a summer visitor, migrating here from West Africa to breed. Look for this small, black-and-white bird in woodland, parks and gardens, mostly in the west of the UK.

Species information

Statistics

Length: 12cm
Wingspan: 19cm
Weight: 12g
Average lifespan: 2 years

Conservation status

Classified in the UK as Amber under the Birds of Conservation Concern 5: the Red List for Birds (2021). Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981.

When to see

April to September

About

The pied flycatcher is a small, black-and-white bird of mature woodland, parks and gardens, with a preference for oak trees. It is a summer visitor from April and May onwards, and breeds mainly in western areas; it spends the winter in West Africa. Pied flycatchers may be seen sitting patiently on a perch, waiting for a chance to fly out and catch their insect-prey mid-air. They also search for insects on tree trunks and on the ground.

How to identify

The pied flycatcher is slightly smaller than a house sparrow. Males are mostly black above and white below, with a bold white patch on the folded wing. Females have the same basic patterning, but are browner in colour.