Great Crested Flycatcher
Myiarchus crinitus
Also known as: Christian Flycatcher, Snakeskin Bird
About This Species
Listen first for a loud, rising call echoing from the leafy canopy of deciduous or mixed woodland, since this large flycatcher often stays high and can be easier to hear than see. It nests in tree cavities and old woodpecker holes, and is notably bold in its choices, occasionally incorporating shed snakeskin into the nest lining. Spring and early summer, after birds return from Central American wintering grounds, offer the best chance of activity and vocalizations.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Viewing from a distance with binoculars is preferable, since approaching cavity nests too closely can cause parents to abandon eggs or young.
- Migratory bird protections apply across its range in the United States, Canada, and Central America, though the specific statutes differ by country, so confirm local rules rather than assuming uniform coverage.
- Avoid disturbing dead or dying trees with visible cavities during the nesting season, since these are frequently active nest sites.
LCAvesPasseriformesTyrannidae
Seasonal Activity
3,576,763 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Tyrannidae
Photo
Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons
CC-BY-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.