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European Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) Alternate name(s): "Pied Flycatcher" German name(s): "Trauerschnäpper" Size: 12-13.5 cm; wing span: 21.5-24 cm Body Mass: 6-19 g Wing loading [g/cm2]: 0.13-0.16

Europe: Family Group 21 Family Group 21 Table European Pied Flycatcher Collared Flycatcher Semicollared Flycatcher Spotted Flycatcher Red-breasted Flycatcher Lesser Whitethroat Common Whitethroat Western Orphean Warbler Western Subalpine Warbler Dartford Warbler Sardinian Warbler Barred Warbler Eurasian Blackcap Garden Warbler Thumbnails page Family group table Index of bird names European birds home page

Similar species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description European Pied Flycatchers are small insectivore birds. Their plumage is dimorphic, i.e. males and females are different. Male European Pied Flycatchers are all black and white. The entire front, from the chin and the sides of the neck below the ear coverts downwards, is white. The head (except for two white patches on the frons) and the back are black. Only the rump is a bit greyish. The mantle, upperwing coverts and flight feathers are also black. Irrespective of race or age, some males have paler, dark-grey and off-white plumage, which can be very hard to distinguish from that of females (see below). The characteristic features of all males in breeding plumage are two small white spots above the base of the bill. Female European Pied Flycatchers show a similar morphology as males. However, their plumage has less contrast - where the males are black, they are dark-grey and where the males are white they are off-white to light-grey, especially on the chest. In addition, they lack the white spots above the bill. Males in eclipse are very similar to females, but usually with darker wing feathers and uppertail. The characteristic feature of both sexes is a thin pale mark on the primary coverts, under the prominent white wing bar. The irises of both sexes are black. The short, straight bill is dark-grey. Legs and feet are also dark-grey. Juveniles closely resemble females. Twitcher's tip Collared Flycatchers have a complete white neckband, while Semi-collared Flycatchers have a narrow black gap at the nape of the neck and Pied Flycatchers have a wide black gap at the nape of the neck.

Taxonomy, classification See European Pied Flycatcher at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org . The global distribution of the European Pied Flycatcher is available HERE . European Pied Flycatchers are a migratory species with at present 3 recognized races, nominate race "hypoleuca", race "iberiae" (the "Iberian Pied Flycatcher"), and race "sibirica". Race "iberiae" breeds in parts of the Iberian peninsula, primarily in central northern Spain, but also in the South and along the south-western coastline. Apart from small areas in England/Scotland, race "hypoleuca" breeds in central, eastern and northern Europe, and eastwards into western Asia. Race "sibirica" breeds in mid-latitude western Asia, as far to the East as western Siberia. All races spend the northern winters in sub-Saharan Africa. In Europe European Pied Flycatchers are found as breeding migrants in parts of Iberia (race "iberiae") and in upland forest and woodland in central Europe (apart from small areas in France only roughly eastward of the river Rhine), in eastern Europe (northward of a line connecting southern Germany and the North coast of the Black Sea) and Scandinavia, except the far North. In eastern Europe they are found below the Arctic circle, out to the Urals (and beyond). In the rest of Europe, in particular in the Mediterranean and in the South-east, they are only found during migration. European Pied Flycatchers have a preference for habitats with tall oak or other tall tree species, with little undergrowth other than moss and/or grass. Their acceptance of open nest hollows, including nest boxes, also has them breeding in proximity to humans, in parks and gardens.

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "hypoleuca" D. Wilczynska reports spotting a European Pied Flycatcher, nominate race "hypoleuca", near Ostrow Mazowiecka, Masovia, Poland, in August 2016, and at Biebrza NP, Poland, in May 2018. M. Eaton reports finding a European Pied Flycatcher, race "hypoleuca", at Skjervoy, near Tromso, Norway, in June 2018. M. Eaton also found European Pied Flycatchers, race "hypoleuca", at Mequinenza, Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain, in September 2019. J. Pires reports finding European Pied Flycatchers, race "hypoleuca", only rarely in different locations in Portugal, mostly during their southward autumn migration, but sometimes also on their way north. G. Normand spotted a European Pied Flycatcher, race "hypoleuca", in Tirana, Albania, in August 2021. In September 2022, H. Dahlem-Senger found a European Pied Flycatcher, race "hypoleuca", at Lake Constance, Germany. A. Sarok reports finding a European Pied Flycatcher, race "hypoleuca", in Vojvodina, Serbia, in the timeframe 2010-2024.

Photos

Race "hypoleuca"

ADULT

MALE

BREEDING

Near-frontal view of a male European Pied Flycatcher issuing its call - note the characteristic white spots on the forehead; the front of this individual has a buff tint in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Biebrza NP, Poland, May 2018]

Lateral view of a male European Pied Flycatcher in breeding plumage; note the (double) patch on the frons
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Skjervoy, near Tromso, Norway, June 2018]

Lateral view of a male European Pied Flycatcher in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Skjervoy, near Tromso, Norway, June 2018]

Lateral view of a male European Pied Flycatcher in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of A. Sarok)
[Vojvodina, Serbia, date unknown]

NON-BREEDING

Near-frontal view of a male(?) European Pied Flycatcher in non-breeding plumage; note the dark wings
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Montargil, Alentejo, Portugal, October 2013]

Lateral view of a male(?) European Pied Flycatcher in non-breeding plumage; note the dark wings
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, October 2018]

Near-dorsal/ventral view of a male European Pied Flycatcher in non-breeding plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Mequinenza, Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain, September 2019]

FEMALE

Frontal view of a female European Pied Flycatcher (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Near Ostrow Mazowiecka, Masovia, Poland, August 2016]

Frontal view of a female European Pied Flycatcher (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Near Ostrow Mazowiecka, Masovia, Poland, August 2016]

Near-frontal view of a female(?) European Pied Flycatcher; note the brownish colours (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, October 2018]

Near-frontal/ventral view of a female European Pied Flycatcher (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Mequinenza, Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain, September 2019]

Near-frontal/ventral view of a female European Pied Flycatcher (photo courtesy of G. Normand)
[Tirana, Albania, August 2021]

Near-lateral view of a female European Pied Flycatcher looking towards the observer (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Albufeira do Maranhao, Benavila, Evora, Portugal, September 2022]

Near-lateral view of a female European Pied Flycatcher; note the characteristic thin pale mark on the primary coverts, under the prominent white wing bar (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Near Ostrow Mazowiecka, Masovia, Poland, August 2016]

Near-lateral view of a female European Pied Flycatcher (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Mequinenza, Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain, September 2019]

Near-lateral/ventral view of a female European Pied Flycatcher (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Mequinenza, Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain, September 2019]

Lateral view of a female European Pied Flycatcher looking at the observer (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2025]

Lateral view of a female European Pied Flycatcher looking towards the observer (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sorraia River, Santa Justa, Coruche, Santarem, Portugal, September 2022]

Lateral view of a female European Pied Flycatcher looking towards the observer (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Troco pedestre-Castelhana, Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2024]

Lateral view of a female European Pied Flycatcher (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2019]

Lateral view of a female European Pied Flycatcher made to look yellowish by light reflections (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Mequinenza, Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain, September 2019]

Lateral view of a female European Pied Flycatcher (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Albufeira do Maranhao, Benavila, Evora, Portugal, September 2022]

Lateral/ventral view of a female European Pied Flycatcher (photo courtesy of G. Normand)
[Tirana, Albania, August 2021]

Near-dorsal view of a female European Pied Flycatcher looking towards the observer (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[ZPE Castro Verde, Vale Goncalinho, Castro Verde, Beja, Portugal, October 2024]

Near-dorsal view of a female European Pied Flycatcher looking backwards looking towards the observer (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Troco pedestre-Castelhana, Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2024]

Near-dorsal/ventral view of a female European Pied Flycatcher (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Raia river, Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2020]

Dorsal/ventral view of a female European Pied Flycatcher (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Raia river, Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2020]

Near-frontal view of a female European Pied Flycatcher launching itself into the air - here one can see clearly the white spots creating the bars on the folded wings (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Montargil Dam, Ponte de Sor, Evora, Portugal, September 2022]

Direct comparison between a female Semi-collared Flycatcher, left, and a female Pied Flycatcher, right
(photos courtesy of G. Pinelas)
[Reboleira, Lisbon, Portugal, September 2016]

Sex unknown

Near-frontal view of a European Pied Flycatcher (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2019]

Near-dorsal view of a European Pied Flycatcher (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2019]

Near-dorsal view of a European Pied Flycatcher (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2019]

Near-dorsal view of a European Pied Flycatcher (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sorraia river, Coruche, Portugal, September 2019]

Near-dorsal view of a European Pied Flycatcher with drooping wings and raised tail, like a robin (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sorraia river, Coruche, Portugal, October 2019]

Dorsal view of a European Pied Flycatcher (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sorraia river, Coruche, Portugal, September 2019]

Lateral view of a European Pied Flycatcher at take-off (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2019]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Lateral view of a first-winter(?) European Pied Flycatcher (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2015]

Near-dorsal view of a first-winter(?) European Pied Flycatcher (photo courtesy of H. Dahlem-Senger)
[Lake Constance, Germany, September 2022]

Near-dorsal view of a first-winter(?) European Pied Flycatcher (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Mequinenza, Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain, September 2019]

Near-dorsal view of a first-winter(?) European Pied Flycatcher (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Mequinenza, Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain, September 2019]

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Territorial

Mobility: Migratory

Elementary unit: Solitary

Near-frontal view of a female European Pied Flycatcher approaching a bird bath (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2025]

Lateral view of a female European Pied Flycatcher in a bird bath (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2025]

Food, Diet

European Pied Flycatchers are primarily insectivores, but will occasionally also take earthworms, soft fruit or berries.

European Pied Flycatcher with its prey, a caterpillar (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sagres, Algarve, Portugal, October 2018]

European Pied Flycatcher with its prey, a small insect (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sorraia river, Coruche, Portugal, September 2019]

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

pieflyc_dw_20180511_2.m4a	(Poland)	Territorial calls (male)	© DW
pieflyc_dw_20180511.m4a	(Poland)	Territorial calls (male)	© DW
pieflyc_dw_20160811.m4a	(Poland)	Contact calls? (female)	© DW
pieflyc_jp_20240914.m4a	(Portugal)	Warning calls(?)	© JP
pieflyc_jp_20240915.m4a	(Portugal)	Warning calls(?)	© JP
pieflyc_jp_20250917.m4a	(Portugal)	?	© JP
pieflyc_jp_20200910.m4a	(Portugal)	? (+ Eurasian Blue Tit)	© JP

More European Pied Flycatcher sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

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