[birdpost] introducing...the GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER!!!

Today's episode of "Who's That Bird" features a rather...unique looking fellow, the Great Crested Flycatcher!

FAST FACTS:

• Common Name: Great Crested Flycatcher

• Scientific Name: Myiarchus crinitus

• Range: Breeds across the eastern half of the United States and into southern Canada. Winters in Central America, Cuba, and a portion of Colombia and Venezuela

• Preferred Habitat: Deciduous forests, edges of clearings, and mixed woodlands. Appears to prefer open canopies, and avoids coniferous habitats. From my own personal observations, they tend to live near bodies of water such as lakes, marshes, and creeks/kills.

• Diet: Insectivore: despite its name, it actually prefers butterflies, moths, beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, and bees/wasps. Maybe it should be called the Great Crested Butterflycatcher instead, but it doesn't have as good of a ring to it. Also will eat small amounts of fruits or berries.

• Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)

I never used to be super into flycatchers, but as of recently, I have fallen in love with the Great Crested Flycatcher. They're large, bold, goofy looking birds, and have quite the personality! Here is what they sound like. Their calls are described as a "weeep!" sound. They also make a sort of laughing noise too. I saw my first Great Crested Flycatcher two weekends ago while birding with the National Audubon Society at a conference. He had been following us for about a half hour, getting increasingly close to us, and "laughing" when we couldn't spot him in the dense foliage. I was REALLY getting pissed off at the nerve of this guy! But FINALLY, I outsmarted him (or maybe he decided he was done messing with us, and showed himself), and I got to check him off my list!

We also have one that just moved in to the gardens on campus. He's become a bit of a celebrity within my bird club (and also my beekeepers in training LOVE him). He likes to sit at the tops of trees and say WEEEP! I love him so much.

And finally, for your entertainment, here is a video of some baby Great Crested Flycatchers leaving the nest for the first time (called fledging). Enjoy!!