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Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. LXXXII
Field-journal plate: Collared Flycatcher
The Collared Flycatcher plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate LXXXII

Collared Flycatcher

Ficedula albicollis

Muscicapidae · Taxon 13133

Length12–13.5 cm
Wingspan22–24 cm
Weight10–17 g

Field marks

  1. Small, compact, relatively large-headed flycatcher with an upright perching stance.
  2. Short, blackish bill is broad at the base and sharply pointed; eye is large and dark.
  3. Legs and feet are slender and slate gray.
  4. Breeding male is black above and white below, with a complete white collar and bold white forehead patch.
  5. Large white wing patch and pale-to-white rump contrast strongly with the dark wings.
  6. Tail is fairly long and mostly dark; females and immature birds are gray-brown above but retain a prominent white wing patch.

HabitatMature deciduous and other broad-leaved woodland with old, cavity-bearing trees; also wooded parks, gardens, orchards, and open woodland. Nonbreeding birds use broad-leaved woodland, including miombo.

BehaviorAn active insectivore that watches from exposed perches, makes short aerial sallies for flying prey, and also gleans caterpillars and other invertebrates from foliage; berries are taken occasionally. It nests in tree cavities and readily uses nest boxes.

Palette

jet blackclean whitepale gray-brownslate graycool blue-gray