Tyrant flycatchers (Tyrannidae)
Great Crested Flycatcher
Myiarchus crinitus. Large insects caught in the canopy; some fruit.
Tyrant flycatchers (Tyrannidae)Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitus
- Scientific name
- Myiarchus crinitus
- Length
- 6.7–8.3 in
- Weight
- 0.9–1.4 oz
- Nest
- Tree cavity or nest box
- Entrance hole
- 1 3/4 in
- Clutch
- 4–8 eggs
- Incubation
- 13–15 days
- Broods
- 1 per season
Identification
- Lemon-yellow belly and grey throat
- Rufous tail and wing edges
- Bushy crest
Voice
Loud, rising 'wheep!'.
Diet and feeding
Large insects caught in the canopy; some fruit.
Great Crested Flycatchers by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Alberta | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Arkansas | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Connecticut | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Delaware | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Florida | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Georgia | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Illinois | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Indiana | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Iowa | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Kansas | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Kentucky | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Louisiana | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Maine | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Manitoba | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Maryland | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Massachusetts | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Michigan | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Minnesota | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Mississippi | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Missouri | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Nebraska | Summer breeder | May–July |
| New Brunswick | Summer breeder | June–July |
| New Hampshire | Summer breeder | June–July |
| New Jersey | Summer breeder | May–July |
| New York | Summer breeder | May–July |
| North Carolina | Summer breeder | May–July |
| North Dakota | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Ohio | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Oklahoma | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Ontario | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Pennsylvania | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Quebec | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Rhode Island | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Saskatchewan | Summer breeder | June–July |
| South Carolina | Summer breeder | April–July |
| South Dakota | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Tennessee | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Texas | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Vermont | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Virginia | Summer breeder | May–July |
| West Virginia | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Wisconsin | Summer breeder | June–July |
Frequently asked
What do great crested flycatchers eat?
Large insects caught in the canopy; some fruit. At feeders: .
How big is a Great Crested Flycatcher?
6.7–8.3 in long and 0.9–1.4 oz.
Do great crested flycatchers use birdhouses?
Yes — a 1 3/4 in entrance, 6 × 6 in floor, mounted 8–20 ft.
Sources
- Great Crested Flycatcher — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Great Crested Flycatcher life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Great Crested Flycatcher — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.