Bird Guide

European Pied Flycatcher vs Red-breasted Flycatcher

European Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca)

European Pied Flycatcher

Ficedula hypoleuca

Tiny14 gForest

This is a 12–13.5 centimetres (4.7–5.3 in) long bird. The breeding male is mainly black above and white below, with a large white wing patch, white tail sides and a small forehead patch. The Iberian subspecies F. h. iberiae (known as Iberian pied flycatcher) has a larger forehead patch and a pale rump. Non-breeding males, females and juveniles have the black replaced by a pale brown, and may be very difficult to distinguish from other Ficedula flycatchers, particularly the collared flycatcher, with which this species hybridises to a limited extent.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Grégoire Chauvot · CC0
Photo: Mark Medcalf · CC BY 2.0
Red-breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva)

Red-breasted Flycatcher

Ficedula parva

Tiny11 gWoodland

At 11–12 cm long, this is a relatively small flycatcher, only slightly larger than the Eurasian wren. Adult breeding males are mainly muted brown above and white below, with a grey head and orange throat. The bill is black and has a pale pinkish base along with the broad but pointed shape typical of aerial insectivores. The wheatear-like tail is distinctive in all plumages; the tail is entirely black except for the white base on the outer tail feathers. Voice: The song is usually three to four seconds long and consists of far-carrying and repetitive yet sweet-sounding whistles, like that of the European pied flycatcher, but less melodious. Each song phrase is usually preceded by quiet zit or tsi-it notes, followed by a descending multipart sequence that may recall the song of the willow warbler.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Sonothèque ADVL · CC0
Photo: Mitul and Vijul Singh · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: European Pied Flycatcher and Red-breasted Flycatcher.