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{{Short description|Species of bird}}
{{Taxobox
{{speciesbox
| name = Spotted flycatcher
| name = Spotted flycatcher
| status = LC
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref>{{IUCN|id=22709192 |title=''Muscicapa striata'' |assessor=BirdLife International |assessor-link=BirdLife International |version=2013.2 |year=2012 |accessdate=26 November 2013}}</ref>
| status_ref = <ref>{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International. |year=2019 |title=''Muscicapa striata'' ||page=e.T22709192A155605346 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T22709192A155605346.en |access-date=7 October 2021}}</ref>
| image = Muscicapa striata 1 (Martin Mecnarowski).jpg
| image = Muscicapa striata 1 (Martin Mecnarowski).jpg
⚫
| image_caption = In the [[Czech Republic]]
| image_width = 300px
⚫
| genus = Muscicapa
⚫
| image_caption = Spotted flycatcher in the [[Czech Republic]]
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| species = striata
⚫
| authority = ([[Peter Simon Pallas|Pallas]], 1764)
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| range_map = MuscicapaStriataIUCN2019-3.png
| classis = [[bird|Aves]]
| range_map_caption = Range of ''M. striata''{{leftlegend|#00FF00|Breeding|outline=gray}} {{leftlegend|#00FFFF|Passage|outline=gray}} {{leftlegend|#007FFF|Non-breeding|outline=gray}}
| ordo = [[Passeriformes]]
| synonyms = ''M. grisola'' L.<ref name= syngrisola>{{cite web
| familia = [[Muscicapidae]]
| url = https://www.gbif.org/species/11347523
⚫
| genus = ''[[Muscicapa]]''
| species = '''''M. striata'''''
| title = ''Muscicapa grisola'' Linnaeus
| website = GBIF
| binomial = ''Muscicapa striata''
| access-date = 2023-11-23
⚫
| binomial_authority = ([[Peter Simon Pallas|Pallas]], 1764)
}}</ref>
}}
}}


The '''spotted flycatcher''' (''Muscicapa striata'') is a small [[passerine]] bird in the [[Old World flycatcher]] family. It breeds in most of [[Europe]] and western [[Asia]], and is [[bird migration|migratory]], wintering in [[Africa]] and south western [[Asia]]. It is declining in parts of its range.
The '''spotted flycatcher''' ('''''Muscicapa striata''''') is a small [[passerine]] bird in the [[Old World flycatcher]] family. It breeds in most of [[Europe]] and in the [[Palearctic]] to Siberia, and is [[bird migration|migratory]], wintering in [[Africa]] and south western Asia. It is declining in parts of its range.


This is an undistinguished looking bird with long wings and tail. The adults have grey-brown upperparts and whitish underparts, with a streaked crown and breast, giving rise to the bird's common name.<ref>{{cite web|title=Spotted Flycatcher|website=Wildlife in Norfolk|publisher=Norfolk Wildlife Trust|accessdate=28 November 2014}}</ref> The legs are short and black, and the bill is black and has the broad but pointed shape typical of aerial insectivores. Juveniles are browner than adults and have spots on the upperparts.
This is an undistinguished looking bird with long wings and tail. The adults have grey-brown upperparts and whitish underparts, with a streaked crown and breast, giving rise to the bird's common name.<ref>{{cite web|title=Spotted Flycatcher|website=Wildlife in Norfolk|publisher=Norfolk Wildlife Trust|url=https://www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/wildlife-in-norfolk/species-explorer/birds/spotted-flycatcher|access-date=3 May 2019}}</ref> The legs are short and black, and the bill is black and has the broad but pointed shape typical of aerial insectivores. Juveniles are browner than adults and have spots on the upperparts.


==Taxonomy==
==Taxonomy==
The spotted flycatcher was described by the German naturalist [[Peter Simon Pallas]] in 1764 and given the binomial name ''Motacilla striata''.<ref>{{ cite book | last1=Mayr | first1=Ernst | last2=Cottrell | first2=G. William | year=1986 | title=Check-list of Birds of the World. Volume 11 | publisher=Museum of Comparative Zoology | place=Cambridge, Massachusetts | page=314 | url=http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/14484015 }}</ref><ref>{{ cite journal | last=Sherborn | first=C. Davies | year=1905 | title=The new species of birds in Vroeg's catalogue, 1764 | journal=Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections | volume=47 | pages=332–341 [336] | url=http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/8812106 }} Includes a transcript of the 1764 text.</ref><ref>{{ cite journal | last1=Rookmaaker | first1=L.C. | last2=Pieters | first2=F.F.J.M. | year=2000 | title=Birds in the sales catalogue of Adriaan Vroeg (1764) described by Pallas and Vosmaer | journal=Contributions to Zoology | volume=69 | issue=4 | pages=271–277 | url=http://www.repository.naturalis.nl/document/571856 }}</ref> The genus name ''Muscicapa'' comes from the [[Latin]] ''musca'', a fly and ''capere'', to catch. The [[Specific name (zoology)|specific epithet]] ''striata'' is from the Latin ''striatus'' meaning striated.<ref>{{cite book | last= Jobling | first= James A. | year= 2010| title= The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names | publisher=Christopher Helm | location = London, United Kingdom | isbn = 978-1-4081-2501-4 | pages=260, 367}}.</ref>
The spotted flycatcher was described by the German naturalist [[Peter Simon Pallas]] in 1764 and given the binomial name ''Motacilla striata''.<ref>{{ cite book | last1=Mayr | first1=Ernst | last2=Cottrell | first2=G. William | year=1986 | title=Check-list of Birds of the World. Volume 11 | volume=11 | publisher=Museum of Comparative Zoology | place=Cambridge, Massachusetts | page=314 | url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/14484015 }}</ref><ref>{{ cite journal | last=Sherborn | first=C. Davies | year=1905 | title=The new species of birds in Vroeg's catalogue, 1764 | journal=Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections | volume=47 | pages=332–341 [336] | url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/8812106 }} Includes a transcript of the 1764 text.</ref><ref>{{ cite journal | last1=Rookmaaker | first1=L.C. | last2=Pieters | first2=F.F.J.M. | year=2000 | title=Birds in the sales catalogue of Adriaan Vroeg (1764) described by Pallas and Vosmaer | journal=Contributions to Zoology | volume=69 | issue=4 | pages=271–277 | doi=10.1163/18759866-06904005 | url=http://www.repository.naturalis.nl/document/571856 | doi-access=free }}</ref> The genus name ''Muscicapa'' comes from the [[Latin]] ''musca'', a fly and ''capere'', to catch. The [[Specific name (zoology)|specific epithet]] ''striata'' is from the Latin ''striatus'' meaning striated.<ref>{{cite book | last= Jobling | first= James A. | year= 2010| title= The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names | url= https://archive.org/details/Helm_Dictionary_of_Scientific_Bird_Names_by_James_A._Jobling | publisher=Christopher Helm | location = London, United Kingdom | isbn = 978-1-4081-2501-4 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/Helm_Dictionary_of_Scientific_Bird_Names_by_James_A._Jobling/page/n260 260], 367}}.</ref>


There are seven recognised [[subspecies]] all of which winter in southern Africa. The breeding range is given below.<ref name=ioc>{{cite web| editor1-last=Gill | editor1-first=Frank | editor2-last=Donsker | editor2-first=David | year=2016 | title=Chats, Old World flycatchers | work=World Bird List Version 6.2 | url=http://www.worldbirdnames.org/bow/chats/ | publisher=International Ornithologists' Union| accessdate=20 May 2016 }}</ref><ref name=hbwalive>{{cite book| last1=Taylor | first1=B. | chapter=Spotted Flycatcher (''Muscicapa striata'') | editor1-last=del Hoyo | editor1-first=J. | editor2-last=Elliott | editor2-first=A. | editor3-last=Sargatal | editor3-first=J. | editor4-last=Christie | editor4-first=D.A. | editor5-last=de Juana | editor5-first=E. | title=Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive | publisher=Lynx Edicions | chapterurl=http://www.hbw.com/node/59021 | accessdate=17 June 2016}}{{subscription required}}</ref>
There are five recognised [[subspecies]] all of which winter in southern Africa. The breeding range is given below.<ref name=ioc>{{cite web| editor1-last=Gill | editor1-first=Frank | editor2-last=Donsker | editor2-first=David | year=2016 | title=Chats, Old World flycatchers | work=World Bird List Version 6.2 | url=http://www.worldbirdnames.org/bow/chats/ | publisher=International Ornithologists' Union| access-date=20 May 2016 }}</ref><ref name=hbwalive>{{cite book| last1=Taylor | first1=B. | chapter=Spotted Flycatcher (''Muscicapa striata'') | editor1-last=del Hoyo | editor1-first=J. | editor2-last=Elliott | editor2-first=A. | editor3-last=Sargatal | editor3-first=J. | editor4-last=Christie | editor4-first=D.A. | editor5-last=de Juana | editor5-first=E. | title=Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive | year=2020 | publisher=Lynx Edicions | doi=10.2173/bow.spofly1.01 | s2cid=216294072 | chapter-url=http://www.hbw.com/node/59021 | access-date=17 June 2016}}{{subscription required}}</ref>
* ''M. s. striata'' (Pallas, 1764) – Europe to west Siberia, northwest Africa
* ''M. s. striata'' ([[Peter Simon Pallas|Pallas]], 1764) – Europe to west Siberia, northwest Africa
* ''M. s. balearica'' von Jordans, 1913 – [[Balearic Islands]]
* ''M. s. inexpectata'' [[Georgi Petrovich Dementiev|Dementiev]], 1932 – Crimea (southern Ukraine)
* ''M. s. tyrrhenica'' Schiebel, 1910 – Corsica and Sardinia
* ''M. s. inexpectata'' Dementiev, 1932 – Crimea (southern Ukraine)
* ''M. s. neumanni'' Poche, 1904 – islands of the Aegean Sea through to the Middle East, the Caucasus, northern Iran and central Siberia
* ''M. s. neumanni'' Poche, 1904 – islands of the Aegean Sea through to the Middle East, the Caucasus, northern Iran and central Siberia
* ''M. s. sarudnyi'' Snigirewski, 1928 – eastern Iran and Turkmenistan to the mountains of central Asia and north Pakistan
* ''M. s. sarudnyi'' [[Sergey Snigirewski|Snigirewski]], 1928 – eastern Iran and Turkmenistan to the mountains of central Asia and north Pakistan
* ''M. s. mongola'' Portenko, 1955 – Mongolia and south-central Siberia
* ''M. s. mongola'' Portenko, 1955 – Mongolia and south-central Siberia


A [[molecular phylogenetic]] study published in 2016 found that ''M. s. tyrrhenica'' and ''M. s. balearica'' were genetically similar to each other but significantly different from the other spotted flycatcher subspecies. The authors proposed that these insular subspecies should be considered as a separate species.<ref>{{ cite journal | last1=Pons | first1=J.-M. | year=2016 | title=The role of western Mediterranean islands in the evolutionary diversification of the spotted flycatcher ''Muscicapa striata'', a long-distance migratory passerine species | journal=Journal of Avian Biology | volume=47 | pages=386–398 | doi=10.1111/jav.00859 |display-authors=etal }}</ref>
Two other subspecies were previously recognised, ''M. s. tyrrhenica'' and ''M. s. balearica''. However, a [[molecular phylogenetic]] study published in 2016 found that they were genetically similar to each other but significantly different from the other spotted flycatcher subspecies. The authors proposed that these insular subspecies should be considered as a separate species.<ref>{{ cite journal | last1=Pons | first1=J.-M. | last2=Thibault | first2=J.-C. | last3=Aymí | first3=R. | last4=Grussu | first4=M. | last5=Muntaner | first5=J. | last6=Olioso | first6=G. | last7=Sunyer | first7=J.R. | last8=Touihri | first8=M. | last9=Fuchs | first9=J. | year=2016 | title=The role of western Mediterranean islands in the evolutionary diversification of the spotted flycatcher ''Muscicapa striata'', a long-distance migratory passerine species | journal=Journal of Avian Biology | volume=47 | issue=3 | pages=386–398 | doi=10.1111/jav.00859 }}</ref> The [[International Ornithologists' Union]] has split the species and it is known as the [[Mediterranean flycatcher]], while other taxonomic authorities still consider it to be conspecific.


==Description==
==Description==
Line 45: Line 45:
Most passerines [[moult]] their [[Flight feather#Primaries|primary flight feathers]] in sequence beginning near the body and proceeding outwards along the wing. The spotted flycatcher is unusual in replacing the outer flight feathers before those nearer the body.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Jenni |first1=Lukas |last2=Winkler |first2=Raffael |date=1994 |title=Moult and Ageing of European Passerines |publisher=Academic Press |location=London, San Diego |isbn=0-123-84150-X}}</ref><ref>{{ cite book | last=Svensson | first=Lars | year=1992 | title=Identification Guide to European Passerines | edition=4th | publisher=L. Svensson | place=Stockholm | isbn=91-630-1118-2 | pages=34, 222–223 }}</ref>
Most passerines [[moult]] their [[Flight feather#Primaries|primary flight feathers]] in sequence beginning near the body and proceeding outwards along the wing. The spotted flycatcher is unusual in replacing the outer flight feathers before those nearer the body.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Jenni |first1=Lukas |last2=Winkler |first2=Raffael |date=1994 |title=Moult and Ageing of European Passerines |publisher=Academic Press |location=London, San Diego |isbn=0-123-84150-X}}</ref><ref>{{ cite book | last=Svensson | first=Lars | year=1992 | title=Identification Guide to European Passerines | edition=4th | publisher=L. Svensson | place=Stockholm | isbn=91-630-1118-2 | pages=34, 222–223 }}</ref>


The flycatcher's [[Bird vocalization|call]] is a thin, drawn out soft and high pitched ''tssssseeeeeppppp'', slightly descending in pitch.
The flycatcher's [[Bird vocalization|call]] is a thin, drawn out soft and high pitched ''{{not a typo|tssssseeeeeppppp}}'', slightly descending in pitch.


===Breeding===
===Breeding===
They are birds of deciduous woodlands, parks and gardens, with a preference for open areas amongst trees. They build an open nest in a suitable recess, often against a wall, and will readily adapt to an open-fronted nest box. 4-6 eggs are laid.
They are birds of deciduous woodlands, parks and gardens, with a preference for open areas amongst trees. They build an open nest in a suitable recess, often against a wall, and will readily adapt to an open-fronted nest box. 4-6 eggs are laid.


Most European birds cannot discriminate between their own eggs and those of other species. The exception to this are the hosts of the [[common cuckoo]], which have had to evolve this skill as a protection against that nest parasite. The spotted flycatcher shows excellent egg recognition, and it is likely that it was once a host of the cuckoo, but became so good at recognising the intruder's eggs that it ceased to be victimised. A contrast to this is the [[dunnock]], which appears to be a recent cuckoo host, since it does not show any egg discrimination.<ref name=Davies>{{cite journal |last1=Davies |first1=N. B. |last2=Brooke |first2=M. de L. |year=1989 | title=An experimental study of co-evolution between the Cuckoo, ''Cuculus canorus'', and its hosts. I. Host egg discrimination |journal=Journal of Animal Ecology |volume=58 |number=1 |pages=207–224 | jstor=4995 |doi=10.2307/4995}}</ref>
Most European birds cannot discriminate between their own eggs and those of other species. The exception to this are the hosts of the [[common cuckoo]], which have had to evolve this skill as a protection against that nest parasite. The spotted flycatcher shows excellent egg recognition, and it is likely that it was once a host of the cuckoo, but became so good at recognising the intruder's eggs that it ceased to be victimised. A contrast to this is the [[dunnock]], which appears to be a recent cuckoo host, since it does not show any egg discrimination.<ref name=Davies>{{cite journal |last1=Davies |first1=N. B. |last2=Brooke |first2=M. de L. |year=1989 | title=An experimental study of co-evolution between the Cuckoo, ''Cuculus canorus'', and its hosts. I. Host egg discrimination |journal=Journal of Animal Ecology |volume=58 |number=1 |pages=207–224 | jstor=4995 |doi=10.2307/4995|bibcode=1989JAnEc..58..207D |s2cid=56303051 }}</ref>


==Predation==
==Predation==
A study conducted at two different locations in southern England found that one third of nests were predated. The [[Eurasian jay]] (''Garrulus glandarius'') was the most common aerial predator, consuming both eggs and chicks. The domestic cat (''Felis catus'') predated a small fraction of the nests.<ref>{{ cite journal | last1=Stevens | first1=D.K. | last2=Anderson | first2=G.Q.A. | last3=Grice | first3=P.V. | last4=Norris | first4=K. | last5=Butcher | first5=N. | year=2008 | title=Predators of Spotted Flycatcher ''Muscicapa striata'' nests in southern England as determined by digital nest-cameras | journal=Bird Study | volume=55 | issue=2 | pages=179–187 | doi=10.1080/00063650809461520 }}</ref>
A study conducted at two different locations in southern England found that one third of nests were predated. The [[Eurasian jay]] (''Garrulus glandarius'') was the most common aerial predator, consuming both eggs and chicks. The [[domestic cat]] (''Felis catus'') predated a small fraction of the nests.<ref>{{ cite journal | last1=Stevens | first1=D.K. | last2=Anderson | first2=G.Q.A. | last3=Grice | first3=P.V. | last4=Norris | first4=K. | last5=Butcher | first5=N. | year=2008 | title=Predators of Spotted Flycatcher ''Muscicapa striata'' nests in southern England as determined by digital nest-cameras | journal=Bird Study | volume=55 | issue=2 | pages=179–187 | doi=10.1080/00063650809461520 | bibcode=2008BirdS..55..179S | doi-access=free }}</ref>


==Gallery==
⚫
[[File:Muscicapa striata MWNH 2281.JPG|thumb|Egg, Collection [[Museum Wiesbaden]]]]
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Muscicapa striata clutch 02.JPG|Clutch
File:Muscicapa striata clutch 02.JPG|Clutch
File:Grauschnäpper.jpg|Spotted flycatcher nest.
File:Grauschnäpper.jpg|Spotted flycatcher nest.
File:Juvenile Spotted Flycatcher.JPG|A juvenile flycatcher shortly after leaving the nest.
File:Juvenile Spotted Flycatcher.JPG|A juvenile flycatcher shortly after leaving the nest.
⚫
File:Muscicapa striata MWNH 2281.JPG|Egg, Collection [[Museum Wiesbaden]]
Cuculus canorus canorus MHNT.ZOO.2010.11.150.43.jpg|''Cuculus canorus canorus'' in a clutch of ''Muscicapa striata'' - [[MHNT]]
Muscicapa striata striata MHNT.ZOO.2010.11.206.6.jpg|''Muscicapa striata striata'' - [[MHNT]]
</gallery>
</gallery>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons|Muscicapa striata}}
{{Commons|Muscicapa striata}}
* [http://ibc.lynxeds.com/species/spotted-flycatcher-muscicapa-striata Spotted Flycatcher videos, photos & sounds] on the Internet Bird Collection
* [http://ibc.lynxeds.com/species/spotted-flycatcher-muscicapa-striata Spotted Flycatcher videos, photos & sounds] on the Internet Bird Collection
*[http://aulaenred.ibercaja.es/wp-content/uploads/384_SpottedFlycatcherMstriata.pdf Ageing and sexing (PDF; 1.8 MB) by Javier Blasco-Zumeta & Gerd-Michael Heinze]
*[http://aulaenred.ibercaja.es/wp-content/uploads/384_SpottedFlycatcherMstriata.pdf Ageing and sexing (PDF; 1.8 MB) by Javier Blasco-Zumeta & Gerd-Michael Heinze]
Line 73: Line 76:
* [http://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Muscicapa-striata Xeno-canto: audio recordings of the spotted flycatcher]
* [http://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Muscicapa-striata Xeno-canto: audio recordings of the spotted flycatcher]


{{Taxonbar|from=Q26607}}
{{taxonbar}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Muscicapa]]
[[Category:Muscicapa|spotted flycatcher]]
⚫
[[Category:Birds of Africa]]
[[Category:Birds of Asia]]
[[Category:Birds of Europe]]
[[Category:Birds of Europe]]
[[Category:Animals described in 1764]]
[[Category:Birds of West Asia]]
⚫
[[Category:Birds of Africa]]
[[Category:Birds described in 1764|spotted flycatcher]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Peter Simon Pallas|spotted flycatcher]]
[[Category:Least concern biota of Asia|spotted flycatcher]]
[[Category:Least concern biota of Europe|spotted flycatcher]]

Revision as of 08:54, 22 February 2024

Spotted flycatcher
In the Czech Republic
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Muscicapidae
Genus: Muscicapa
Species:
M. striata
Binomial name
Muscicapa striata
(Pallas, 1764)
Range of M. striata
  Breeding
  Passage
  Non-breeding
Synonyms

M. grisola L.[2]

The spotted flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) is a small passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family. It breeds in most of Europe and in the Palearctic to Siberia, and is migratory, wintering in Africa and south western Asia. It is declining in parts of its range.

This is an undistinguished looking bird with long wings and tail. The adults have grey-brown upperparts and whitish underparts, with a streaked crown and breast, giving rise to the bird's common name.[3] The legs are short and black, and the bill is black and has the broad but pointed shape typical of aerial insectivores. Juveniles are browner than adults and have spots on the upperparts.

Taxonomy

The spotted flycatcher was described by the German naturalist Peter Simon Pallas in 1764 and given the binomial name Motacilla striata.[4][5][6] The genus name Muscicapa comes from the Latin musca, a fly and capere, to catch. The specific epithet striata is from the Latin striatus meaning striated.[7]

There are five recognised subspecies all of which winter in southern Africa. The breeding range is given below.[8][9]

  • M. s. striata (Pallas, 1764) – Europe to west Siberia, northwest Africa
  • M. s. inexpectata Dementiev, 1932 – Crimea (southern Ukraine)
  • M. s. neumanni Poche, 1904 – islands of the Aegean Sea through to the Middle East, the Caucasus, northern Iran and central Siberia
  • M. s. sarudnyi Snigirewski, 1928 – eastern Iran and Turkmenistan to the mountains of central Asia and north Pakistan
  • M. s. mongola Portenko, 1955 – Mongolia and south-central Siberia

Two other subspecies were previously recognised, M. s. tyrrhenica and M. s. balearica. However, a molecular phylogenetic study published in 2016 found that they were genetically similar to each other but significantly different from the other spotted flycatcher subspecies. The authors proposed that these insular subspecies should be considered as a separate species.[10] The International Ornithologists' Union has split the species and it is known as the Mediterranean flycatcher, while other taxonomic authorities still consider it to be conspecific.

Description

The spotted flycatcher is a small slim bird, around 14.5 cm (5.7 in) in length, with a weight of 14–20 g (0.49–0.71 oz). It has dull grey-brown upperparts and off-white underparts. The crown, throat and breast are streaked with brown while the wings and tail feathers are edged with paler thin margins.[11] The subspecies M. s. tyrrhenica has paler and warmer plumage on the upperparts, with more diffuse markings on the head and breast.[12] The sexes are alike. Juveniles have ochre-buff spots above and scaly brown spots below.[9]

Behaviour and ecology

Spotted flycatchers hunt from conspicuous perches, making sallies after passing flying insects, and often returning to the same perch. Their upright posture is characteristic.

Most passerines moult their primary flight feathers in sequence beginning near the body and proceeding outwards along the wing. The spotted flycatcher is unusual in replacing the outer flight feathers before those nearer the body.[13][14]

The flycatcher's call is a thin, drawn out soft and high pitched tssssseeeeeppppp, slightly descending in pitch.

Breeding

They are birds of deciduous woodlands, parks and gardens, with a preference for open areas amongst trees. They build an open nest in a suitable recess, often against a wall, and will readily adapt to an open-fronted nest box. 4-6 eggs are laid.

Most European birds cannot discriminate between their own eggs and those of other species. The exception to this are the hosts of the common cuckoo, which have had to evolve this skill as a protection against that nest parasite. The spotted flycatcher shows excellent egg recognition, and it is likely that it was once a host of the cuckoo, but became so good at recognising the intruder's eggs that it ceased to be victimised. A contrast to this is the dunnock, which appears to be a recent cuckoo host, since it does not show any egg discrimination.[15]

Predation

A study conducted at two different locations in southern England found that one third of nests were predated. The Eurasian jay (Garrulus glandarius) was the most common aerial predator, consuming both eggs and chicks. The domestic cat (Felis catus) predated a small fraction of the nests.[16]

  • Clutch
    Clutch
  • Spotted flycatcher nest.
    Spotted flycatcher nest.
  • A juvenile flycatcher shortly after leaving the nest.
    A juvenile flycatcher shortly after leaving the nest.
  • Egg, Collection Museum Wiesbaden
    Egg, Collection Museum Wiesbaden
  • Cuculus canorus canorus in a clutch of Muscicapa striata - MHNT
    Cuculus canorus canorus in a clutch of Muscicapa striata - MHNT
  • Muscicapa striata striata - MHNT
    Muscicapa striata striata - MHNT

References

  1. ^ BirdLife International. (2019). "Muscicapa striata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T22709192A155605346. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T22709192A155605346.en. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  2. ^ "Muscicapa grisola Linnaeus". GBIF. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
  3. ^ "Spotted Flycatcher". Wildlife in Norfolk. Norfolk Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  4. ^ Mayr, Ernst; Cottrell, G. William (1986). Check-list of Birds of the World. Volume 11. Vol. 11. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Museum of Comparative Zoology. p. 314.
  5. ^ Sherborn, C. Davies (1905). "The new species of birds in Vroeg's catalogue, 1764". Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections. 47: 332–341 [336]. Includes a transcript of the 1764 text.
  6. ^ Rookmaaker, L.C.; Pieters, F.F.J.M. (2000). "Birds in the sales catalogue of Adriaan Vroeg (1764) described by Pallas and Vosmaer". Contributions to Zoology. 69 (4): 271–277. doi:10.1163/18759866-06904005.
  7. ^ Jobling, James A. (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London, United Kingdom: Christopher Helm. pp. 260, 367. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4..
  8. ^ Gill, Frank; Donsker, David, eds. (2016). "Chats, Old World flycatchers". World Bird List Version 6.2. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  9. ^ a b Taylor, B. (2020). "Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)". In del Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A.; Sargatal, J.; Christie, D.A.; de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions. doi:10.2173/bow.spofly1.01. S2CID 216294072. Retrieved 17 June 2016.(subscription required)
  10. ^ Pons, J.-M.; Thibault, J.-C.; Aymí, R.; Grussu, M.; Muntaner, J.; Olioso, G.; Sunyer, J.R.; Touihri, M.; Fuchs, J. (2016). "The role of western Mediterranean islands in the evolutionary diversification of the spotted flycatcher Muscicapa striata, a long-distance migratory passerine species". Journal of Avian Biology. 47 (3): 386–398. doi:10.1111/jav.00859.
  11. ^ Snow, D.W.; Perrins, C.M., eds. (1998). "Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)". The Birds of the Western Palearctic. Concise Edition. Volume 2: Passerines. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 1349–1352. ISBN 0-19-850188-9.
  12. ^ Viganò, M.; Corso, A. (2015). "Morphological differences between two subspecies of spotted flycatcher Muscicapa striata (Pallas, 1764) (Passeriformes Muscicapidae)" (PDF). Biodiversity Journal. 6 (1): 271–284.
  13. ^ Jenni, Lukas; Winkler, Raffael (1994). Moult and Ageing of European Passerines. London, San Diego: Academic Press. ISBN 0-123-84150-X.
  14. ^ Svensson, Lars (1992). Identification Guide to European Passerines (4th ed.). Stockholm: L. Svensson. pp. 34, 222–223. ISBN 91-630-1118-2.
  15. ^ Davies, N. B.; Brooke, M. de L. (1989). "An experimental study of co-evolution between the Cuckoo, Cuculus canorus, and its hosts. I. Host egg discrimination". Journal of Animal Ecology. 58 (1): 207–224. Bibcode:1989JAnEc..58..207D. doi:10.2307/4995. JSTOR 4995. S2CID 56303051.
  16. ^ Stevens, D.K.; Anderson, G.Q.A.; Grice, P.V.; Norris, K.; Butcher, N. (2008). "Predators of Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata nests in southern England as determined by digital nest-cameras". Bird Study. 55 (2): 179–187. Bibcode:2008BirdS..55..179S. doi:10.1080/00063650809461520.
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