| Great Crested Flycatcher | |
|---|---|
| Migrating in April | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Tyrannidae |
| Genus: | Myiarchus |
| Species: | M. crinitus |
| Binomial name | |
| Myiarchus crinitus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
|
The Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) 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.[2] It dwells mostly in the treetops and rarely found on the ground.[3]
Adult Great Crested Flycatchers usually measure between 17–21 cm (7–8 in) in length with a wingspan of around 34 cm (13 in). This bird usually weighs between 27–40 g (0.95–1.41 ounces).[3]
The Great Crested Flycatcher does not display sexual dimorphism. 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.
Their breeding habitat is deciduous or mixed forests across eastern North America. They nest in a cavity in a tree. A snake skin is usually included in the lining of the nest; sometimes a plastic wrapper is substituted.
These birds migrate to Mexico and South America, also Florida and Cuba.
They wait on a high perch and fly out to catch insects in flight, sometimes hovering to pick food off vegetation. They also eat fruits and berries.
This bird's call is a whistled weep.