The majority of our woodland flycatchers are small, drab and inconspicuous. An exception is the great crested flycatcher which is larger than a cardinal and announces its presence with a loud, piercing "vreeep." Arriving in May, they spend the summer flycatching from treetops and will depart for southern climes by late September.
A pair of great crested flycatchers have settled in our neighborhood this year, roaming among the shade trees in a confident manner. They are easily identified by their large size, yellow abdomen, olive back and rusty wing and tail feathers; their modest crest is not always apparent.
In addition to their bold personality, these flycatchers are known for their nesting habits; using abandoned woodpecker holes or man-made flicker boxes, they mold the nest with a variety of trash and seem especially fond of snake skins.
