Birds · Passeriformes · Muscicapidae

European Pied Flycatcher

Ficedula hypoleuca

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

A compact passerine with a broad head and a fine bill. In spring the male is black and white, with a white patch on the forehead; the female replaces the black with brown. Outside the breeding season both sexes look the same, pale brown above and buff white below.

Weight

13 g – 14 g

Size

12 cm – 13 cm

Lifespan

5 years

Diet

Insectivore

Feeds mainly on insects and other invertebrates.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

In pairs

Usually lives in pairs, sometimes for life.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

Estimated population

The European population is estimated at between 24 and 39 million individuals

Insectivore Diurnal In pairs Bird

46countries 197parks14same family

Fun facts

It is a hole-nester and takes to nest boxes with enormous readiness, to the point that putting them up is the main measure used to help its populations.
It practises polygyny, usually bigamy: the male travels long distances to win a second female and then returns to the first to help raise the brood.
It hybridises to a limited extent with the collared flycatcher where the two species overlap.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (bird)
Habitat & environment: Montane woodland between 1,000 and 2,000 m: oak, birch and beech woods and even pine woods, generally near watercourses. In Spain it breeds almost only in the mountain ranges surrounding the northern meseta
Gestation / incubation: 12-14 days, by the female alone; the chicks are fed by both parents
Litter / clutch size: 3-7 pale blue eggs, laid in the second half of May

Sources consulted: SEO/BirdLife (ficha y III Atlas de las aves en época de reproducción en España); IUCN Red List; Asturnatura; Gordo 2022, III Atlas; Potti y Montalvo 1991, Ardea 79; Sanz 2001, Auk 118; BirdLife International