Flycatchers: An Introduction

Species in the groups of birds called Flycatchers are among some of the most challenging birds to identify to the species level. Flycatchers are songbirds that, as their name implies, feed mostly on flies and other insects that are caught on the wing. The term flycatcher actually refers primarily to two large and relatively unrelated families of songbirds: New World or Tyrant Flycatchers (Tyrannidae), and Old World Flycatchers (Muscicapidae), but also refers to a string of smaller families listed here: Monarch Flycatchers (Monarchidae), Silky-flycatchers (Ptilogonatidae), and Fairy Flycatchers (Stenostiridae). These families demonstrate the inaccuracy that common names can have; none of these families are particularly closely related, and yet they are all called flycatchers. Flycatcher more denotes ecological niche than natural relationship. Nonetheless, these are a fascinating group of families containing some of nature's most beautiful organisms, both visually and aurally.

African Blue-Flycatcher, a species of Fairy Flycatcher
Image credit  Steve G from Birdforum.net

The Fairy Flycatchers, known as 'stenostirids', are a group of African and tropical Asian species that were previously in a series of different families according to their morphological variety. Surprisingly, recent molecular studies have revealed these classifictions to be false, and that these outwardly dissimilar birds are actually part of one lineage. The family is composed of Crested-flycatchers (previously in Monarchidae with Monarch Flycatchers), Canary-Flycatchers (previously placed with a group of Australasian Family of flycatchers that were misnamed Robins, Petroicidae) and few others including the Fairy-Flycatcher itself and a species of Fantail. Based on our current knowledge, there are nine species within this family, but there may be more. In the future, it would not be surprising if more flycatchers and fantails are added to this family. It's this mystery that got me interested in birds in the first place, and I can't wait to see what about this family is discovered next. Click here to read more.

A male Phainopepla. Image credit Wikipedia

The Silky-Flycatchers, or Ptilogonatidae, are a small, new world family of flycatchers that are related to Waxwings in Bombycillidae and the Hypocolius of the Old World. They are characterized by soft, silky plumage, sexual dimorphism, and an elongated shape. The one species that reaches into the United States is the elegant Phainopepla, which takes its crazy common name from its generic name. You can find them from Central America north into the American southwest.

African Paradise Flycatcher.
Image credit Rubydbn from Birdforum.net

Monarch Flycatchers, or Monarchidae, are a diverse group of birds of around 140 species that include boatbills, shrikebills, paradise flycatchers, and magpie-larks. Most are forest birds with a broad-based bill and a slender shape. They can be found in many places throughout the Old World, where most are resident, or non-migratory. This family contains some of the most spectacular flycatchers, such as the African Paradise Flycatcher and the Buff-bellied Monarch.

Bluethroat. Image Credit Bas Meelker

 The Old World Flycatchers, Muscicapidae, are yet another large, diverse group of Flycatchers that are among some of the most well known and aesthetically pleasing birds on the planet. Arguably, the most famous species of Muscicapid is the Common Nightingale, which is well known for its singing ability and the fact that it often sings at night--the reason that it was named "Nightingale" by Anglo-Saxons around 1,000 years ago. Nightingale means "Night Songstress". Hear the song here. The Nightingale, along with its kin the Chats, Redstarts, Wheatears, etc., all in the subfamily Saxicolinae, were previously considered to be thrushes, but were recently lumped into Muscicapidae as a result of molecular evidence, effectively doubling the number of species in the family, which now contains 276 species. Some of these species, like the Nightingale in the genus Luscinia, are accomplished songsters. Others are just plain beautiful, such as the Bluethroat, Siberian Rubythroat, and White-throated Redstart. Some species that were originally in the family are quite beautiful as well, such as the Narcissus Flycatcher, which occasionally strays to North America. Overall, Muscicapids are some of the most prevelent birds in the Old World, and I'm sure that if you ever go to Europe and keep and eye out for birds, you'll be sure to see, or at least hear, one of its members.

Can you tell which species this is? Alder or Willow?
Image credit George Jett

How about this one? Image Credit Terry Sohl

And finally, we make it to the Tyrant Flycatchers (Tyrannidae). If there ever was a group of birds to epitomize difficult identifications, it would definitely be this one. Tyrannids can be found throughout North and South America in great variety, and includes some incredible species such as the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher and Vermilion Flycatcher, both of which breed in the U.S. Unfortunately, these species are exceptions, and most tyrannids are dull olive, gray, or brown. Not only are they dull colored, but over all their structures are often quite unvaried, and multiple genera of flycatchers can never be identified to species during certain times of the year. The Elaenias of the neotropics, for example, can be quite difficult to identify. An individual of this genus showed up all the way in Douglas Park in Chicago this April, and local birders have still never agreed to which species it is, even though it was well photographed. Myiarchus Flycatchers, an elongate, crested group of tyrannids, can also be quite difficult to identify. The most difficult genus that breeds in the U.S., however, would have to be the Empidonax Flycatchers, which are abbreviated as Empids. Eleven species breed regularly here in America, and provide some of the greatest identification challenges you can find on this continent. They are so similar, that many of them were once considered one species, and only defined as different species as time went on. An example in the East would be the Willow and Alder Flycatchers, which were once considered to be one species: the Trail's Flycatcher. They can only safely be identified by voice in the field. The Cordilleran and Pacific-slope Flycatchers of the West present a similar situation; they used to be together considered the Western Flycatcher. Not only can these species be incredibly frustrating to identify, they can also be a ton of fun, giving you the opportunity to use all of your brain power while trying to identify them. I personally love challenges like these, and will jump to the plate when presented with and empid to identify. They also happen to be quite entertaining to watch as they flit from branch to branch, bob their tails, and sally out for their fly prey with seemingly endless energy.  Read more about Tyrant Flycatchers here and here.

Over all, I think flycatchers are fascinating. The great variety that this term denotes can demonstrate many of the things that make birds so enthralling as a class. They are enormously varied; they can display amazing songs; they can sport plumages that are visually dazzling; they display behaviors that make us wonder; their relationships are still somewhat ambiguous; and they can be some of the most difficult species to identify. In all, this makes flycatchers some of the most emblematic birds, and something that I thought could make a great blog post.

A male Vermilion Flycatcher. Image credit galapagosmap.com