Semicollared Flycatcher (Ficedula semitorquata)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology:  Ficedula (a small fig eating bird in Latin) semitorquata ("semicollared")   

Adult female Semicollared Flycatcher (Ficedula semitorquata) near Side, Antalya, Turkey - March 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 8-17g  /  Length: 12-13.5cm  /  Wingspan: 23-24cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A typical black and white flycatcher whose bredng range is centred on Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, the Caucasus and North East Iran, migrating largely to an area in the vicinity of Lake Victoria in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo. A specialist of mountainous deciduous forests, it prefers oak and hornbeam. The name describes the plumage of adult males, which, in contrast to its relations the pied and collared flycatchers, has a white band that goes most of the way round its neck but doesnt quite meet in the back. The female can be identified by having two wing bars. 

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Muscicapidae
Genus: Ficedula
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

TURKEY  - Turkish: Alaca sinekkapan ("Pied Flycatcher")
 - ANTALYA 2025 TRIP - Several at different sites near Side

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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European Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca)

OTHER NAMES: Pied Flycatcher

Latin Etymology: Ficedula (a small fig eating bird in Latin) hypoleuca ("white beneath")

Male European Pied Flycatcher (subspecies F. n. hypoleuca) at Bassenthrwaite Lake, Cumbria - June 2022

Featured Subspecies: Ficedula hypoleuca hypoleuca

Weight: 10-15g  /  Length: 13cm  /  Wingspan: 22cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern 

The Pied Flycatcher is one of the species in the UK that is mostly limited to the West and North of the UK, it generally prefers old oak-woodland.  This means it tends to be mostly found in Wales, Northern England and Scotland.  However, as a migrant, it can be theoretically seen on passage anywhere, as was the case with this female/juvenile bird seen in the gardens of Alexandra Palace.  The adult male is much more distinctive - being a bold black and white species, and as such is probably a bit easier to pick out when you see them.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Muscicapidae
Genus: Ficedula
Subspecies: F. h. hypoleuca, F. h. iberiae, S. h. sibirica

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Locally common in the North and West as a Summer Breeding Migrant (17,000-20,000 pairs). 

 - Single female/juvenile bird seen on passage at Alexandra Palace (September 2015), .

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .