The common name for a flycatcher is simply flycatcher. This term broadly refers to a diverse group of small, insectivorous passerine birds renowned for their ability to catch flying insects, often in mid-air.
Characteristics of Flycatchers
Flycatchers are primarily recognized by their agile foraging techniques:
- They typically perch in an open spot, observe their surroundings, and then dart out rapidly to snatch a flying insect.
- After capturing prey, they often return to the same or a nearby perch.
- Many species exhibit subtle plumage, often in shades of brown, grey, or olive, which helps them blend into their arboreal habitats.
- Their diets primarily consist of various insects, including flies, mosquitoes, beetles, and moths.
Old World Flycatchers
The term "flycatcher" is a prominent part of the common names for numerous bird species across various avian families. One of the most significant groups is the Old World flycatchers, belonging to the family Muscicapidae. These birds are native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. Their species names frequently combine a descriptive adjective with "flycatcher," highlighting their distinctive features or geographic distribution.
Here are some examples of Old World flycatcher species, illustrating how the term is incorporated into specific common names:
| Common Name | Binomial Name + Authority |
|---|---|
| Grey-streaked flycatcher | Muscicapa griseisticta (Swinhoe, 1861) |
| Dark-sided flycatcher | Muscicapa sibirica Gmelin, JF, 1789 |
| Ferruginous flycatcher | Muscicapa ferruginea (Hodgson, 1845) |
| Brown-breasted flycatcher | Muscicapa muttui (Layard, EL, 1854) |
Other Flycatcher Groups
While Old World flycatchers form a major group, it is important to note that other distinct bird families also include species commonly referred to as "flycatchers." Examples include the Tyrant flycatchers (Tyrannidae) found exclusively in the Americas, known for their aggressive and diverse insect-hawking behaviors, and the Monarch flycatchers (Monarchidae) in Australasia and Africa. Despite belonging to different evolutionary lineages, these groups share the characteristic insect-hawking behavior that defines the "flycatcher" common name.
