Spotted Flycatcher

The Spotted Flycatcher is very skilled at catching insects in the air. It perches upright on exposed branches and then quickly flies out to catch flying insects with a snapping sound from its beak. Despite its name, this bird looks quite plain. It has grey-brown feathers on its back and pale feathers underneath, with faint streaks on its head and chest rather than clear spots. The bird stays very still between hunting flights and often returns to the same branch. The Spotted Flycatcher visits Britain and Europe in the summer. It breeds in open woods, parks, and gardens with mature trees, preferring edges and clearings. During the winter, it moves to sub-Saharan Africa. Its numbers have dropped a lot in recent years, so seeing one has become more special. Its upright posture, way of catching insects, and plain feathers set it apart from other similar British birds. However, it is easier to identify by watching its behaviour than by looking at its feathers.