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Great Crested Flycatcher, Ash, NC, 2012. Dick Daniels. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Great Crested Flycatcher, location unknown, 2010. Mike’s birds. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

great crested flycatcher

Myiarchus crinitus

Identification: 
This bird is smaller than a robin and bigger than a sparrow.  It’s olive brown on the back with contrasting white wing edges; it has a black bill, grayish head, reddish tail, and lemony yellow belly.   The bird doesn’t so much have a crest as a slightly elongated head.

Behavior:
The bird perches and waits for passing insects, then darts out to catch the flying prey before returning.  It usually hangs out high up in treetops.  It emits a distinctive “wheep” or “reep” sound.  A cavity nester, the Great Crested Flycatcher will move into nest boxes.  Its diet is mostly insects, but it does eat fruit too.    

What brings it to the SBG?
Food, cover, nesting sites.  This is an “edge” species, meaning that it prefers a mix of open and forested vegetation.   The bluebird boxes in SBG could attract Great Crested Flycatchers. 

When can I see it?
Spring, summer, fall.  The Great Crested Flycatcher migrates to Central America, Cuba, and northwestern South American in winter.