Photo credit: Isidor Jeklin/CLO

Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) at a natural cavity. The species also uses nest boxes.

Cool fact: Great Crested Flycatchers often place shed snakeskin or plastic wrap inside the nest or near the cavity entrance, possibly to ward off predators.

Description: Adult has bushy crest, dark olive underparts, and bright yellow belly and undertail. Throat, breast, and flanks gray; wings and tail rufous. Olive band on upper breast. Sexes similar. Juveniles similar to adults, with slightly muted colors.

Breeding range: East of the Rocky Mountains in the United States and in some southern portions of Canada.

Preferred habitat: Mature deciduous and mixed coniferous forests. Prefers clearings and edges of wooded areas, orchards, parks, swamps, and areas disturbed by humans. Has benefited from edge habitats between woods and clearings associated with fragmentation of deciduous forests.

Diet: Flies, beetles, butterflies, grasshoppers, and other insects. Also gleans insects from tree bark and eats small fruits.

The Breeding Bird Survey trend map (1966–1996) depicts declines mostly in the interior parts of the range.

Conservation status: See map. Significant declines in Indiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Ohio, Ontario, Texas, and West Virginia. Significant increases in Alabama, Georgia, Maine, and North Central states.

Causes of decline: Possible causes include pesticide application affecting food supplies, decreased availability of nest sites because of competition with European Starlings, and the disappearance of natural cavities and snags.

Number of records in our database: 73.

Nest-box tips: May prefer hanging boxes, 11–14 feet above ground, which are less subject to predation and competition by European Starlings. Entrance holes should be 1 1/2–2 inches in diameter. Fill bottom of nest box with 1–2 inches of wood chips.

How can you help? Contribute to the conservation of birds by sending us your data. To join The Birdhouse Network, visit www.birds.cornell.edu/birdhouse.

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