Spotted Flycatcher

Afrikaans name: Europese vlieëvanger

Above - Spotted Flycatcher

Photo © Steven Herbert

Muscicapa striata

The Spotted Flycatcher is a non-breeding migrant to South Africa during our summer. Individuals ringed in countries as far away as Finland have been recorded in South Africa. Not bad for a tiny bird!

The Spotted Flycatcher is quite similar to the African Dusky Flycatcher, which is found in South Africa all year round, but the distinct streaks on the top of its head help to identify it.

Normally these birds are seen sitting patiently on an exposed perch low down in a tree or bush. From there they fly out to catch their food which mainly comprises of small insects.

Although they are not shy birds they tend to be overlooked as they keep quiet and sit very still for periods of time.

hey prefer more open habitats such as woodland and savanna but are also found in parks and gardens.

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References and further reading

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Year Published: 1983 - Page: 250

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1959 - Page: 53

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 53

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 186

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Year Published: - Page: 186

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 216

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 67

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 178

Geoff Lockwood's Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Year Published: - Page: 137

Ian Sinclair's Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Year Published: 1988 - Page: 260

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 1984 - Page: 362

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 2000 - Page: 362

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Year Published: 1949 - Page: 277

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 453

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1981 - Page: 466

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 602

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 600

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 342

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 370

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Year Published: 1989 - Page: 90

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 156

List of South African Birds