Swarovski 80HD Nikon CP995

Habitat	Behaviour	Male	Female

Pied Flycatcher

Ficedula hypoleuca 11-13cm

Pied Flycatchers have benefited greatly from schemes to introduce nest boxes in appropriate woodland habitats. The featured shot shows a male bird waiting for the female to exit the nestbox, before he can enter to deliver food to the brood.

I would normally steer well clear of nesting birds, to avoid any risk of disturbance, but this nestbox was actually right next to a busy path, and the birds seemed to be totally unphased by walkers, horses and mountain bikes passing by within a few feet of them.

In spring the striking black and white plumage of the males makes them fairly easy to spot. Females, young birds and males later in the year are grey brown above and white below with distinctive white patches on the wings. Males can be distinguished by a white patch on the forehead.