About the Great Crested Flycatcher
The great crested flycatcher is a large insect-eating bird of the tyrant flycatcher family. It is the most widespread member of the genus Myiarchus in North America, and is found over most of the eastern and mid-western portions of the continent. It dwells mostly in the treetops and rarely is found on the ground.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
Adult great crested flycatchers usually measure between 17–21 cm (6.7–8.3 in) in length with a wingspan of around 34 cm (13 in). This bird usually weighs between 27–40 g (0.95–1.41 oz). There is no sexual dimorphism. All adults are brownish on the upperparts with yellow underparts; they have a long rusty brown tail and a bushy crest. Their throat and breast are grey. Males will sing a three-part song composed of two short whistles: a wheerreep followed by a higher-pitched whee, and a soft low churr.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Great Crested Flycatcher sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Peru.
When to see it
Peak activity in May · a summer visitor species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Ash-throated FlycatcherMyiarchus cinerascensThe ash-throated flycatcher is a medium-sized tyrant flycatcher, measuring 7.5 to 8.6 in (19 to 22 cm) in length with a wingspan of 11.8 to 12.6 in (30 to 32 cm) and a mass of 0.7 to 1.3 oz (20 to 37 g).
Dusky-capped FlycatcherMyiarchus tuberculiferThe dusky-capped flycatcher is 16 to 18.5 cm (6.3 to 7.3 in) long and weighs 14 to 27 g (0.49 to 0.95 oz).
Brown-crested FlycatcherMyiarchus tyrannulusThe brown-crested flycatcher is 18 to 23 cm (7.1 to 9.1 in) long, with a general trend of larger to smaller from north to south.
Side by side: Ash-throated Flycatcher vs Great Crested Flycatcher · Dusky-capped Flycatcher vs Great Crested Flycatcher · Brown-crested Flycatcher vs Great Crested Flycatcher
Learn the Great Crested Flycatcher for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.