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Myiarchus crinitus
Adult Great Crested Flycatchers usually measure between 17–21 cm (6.7–8.3 in) in length with a wingspan of around 34 cm (13 in). This bird usually weighs between 27–40 g (0.95–1.41 oz). The Great Crested Flycatcher does not display sexual dimorphism. All 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. Usually a snake skin is included in the lining of the nest, but sometimes a plastic wrapper is substituted. They wait on a high perch and fly out to catch insects in flight. Sometimes they may be seen hovering to pick food off of vegetation, buildings, and even windows. They also eat fruits and berries. The call of these birds is a whistled weep. These birds migrate to Mexico and South America, as well as to Florida and Cuba.
Project Noah Fact of the Day: Some birds, including titmice, flycatchers and grosbeaks, sometimes incorporate shed snakeskins in the construction of their nests. Scientists in the USA replicating this behavior in tests found that artificial nests were far less likely to be predated if they had snakeskin wrapped around them than control nests.
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) spotted in Florida, USA by PN user James McNair.
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Thank you LivesInADream. That is exciting. Another new spotting for me. Amazing how many creatures happen by in a back yard if you just pay attention.