Explore the Heart of South Africa: Nature, Culture, Adventure
Spotted Flycatcher
Afrikaans name: Europese vlieëvanger
Above - Spotted Flycatcher
Photo © Steven Herbert
Muscicapa striata
The Spotted Flycatcher is a non-breeding migrant to South Africa during our summer. Individuals ringed in countries as far away as Finland have been recorded in South Africa. Not bad for a tiny bird!
The Spotted Flycatcher is quite similar to the African Dusky Flycatcher, which is found in South Africa all year round, but the distinct streaks on the top of its head help to identify it.
Normally these birds are seen sitting patiently on an exposed perch low down in a tree or bush. From there they fly out to catch their food which mainly comprises of small insects.
Although they are not shy birds they tend to be overlooked as they keep quiet and sit very still for periods of time.
They prefer more open habitats such as woodland and savanna but are also found in parks and gardens.
Roberts Birds Names by Edition
| Edition | Roberts nr | Scientific name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 654 | Muscicapa grisola grisola |
| 2nd | 654 | Muscicapa striata |
| 3rd | 654 | Muscicapa striata |
| 4th | 654 | Muscicapa striata |
| 5th | 689 | Muscicapa striata |
| 6th | 689 | Muscicapa striata |
| 7th | 757 | Muscicapa striata |
| Edition | Roberts nr | English name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 654 | Spotted Flycatcher |
| 2nd | 654 | Spotted Flycatcher |
| 3rd | 654 | Spotted Flycatcher |
| 4th | 654 | Spotted Flycatcher |
| 5th | 689 | Spotted Flycatcher |
| 6th | 689 | Spotted Flycatcher |
| 7th | 757 | Spotted Flycatcher |
| Edition | Roberts nr | Afrikaans name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 654 | Europese-vlieë-vanger |
| 2nd | 654 | Europese Vlieëvanger |
| 3rd | 654 | Europese Vlieëvanger |
| 4th | 654 | Europese Vlieëvanger |
| 5th | 689 | Europese Vlieëvanger |
| 6th | 689 | Europese Vlieëvanger |
| 7th | 757 | Europese Vlieëvanger |
References and further reading
Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 156The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 277
The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 59
Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 56
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 90
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 370
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 342
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 600
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 602
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 466
LBJ s - Author: Newman, Johnson, Solomon, Masterson - Published: 1998 - Page: 50
Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 362
Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 362
Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 290
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 350
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 453
Geoff Lockwood s Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Published: 0 - Page: 137
Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 90
Ian Sinclair s Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 260
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 178
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 67
Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 101
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 216
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 231
Birds of Africa south of the Sahara - Author: Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan - Published: 2003 - Page: 554
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 186
Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 186
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 53
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 53
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 250
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