Ficedula hypoleuca

Interesting facts: After launching from a perch, the pied flycatcher, which belongs to the flycatcher family, catches its prey in flight. It is incredibly skilful at this. It can even catch butterflies, which fly in a zigzag path. In stationary flight, it takes insects from bark or walls. Then it hits them against a surface to break off their wings and legs before swallowing them. It is a cavity-breeder and is happy to use nesting boxes.

Characteristics: Mating colours of the male are variable, from contrasting black-white to brown-dirty white, in the summer plumage like the female with brown upper plumage and light underside, but differs from this by always having a white marking on the forehead

Body length: Less than 20 cm (sparrow length)

Distribution: Deciduous and mixed forests, parks and gardens with enough cavity nesting opportunities