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Recently, near the county dump on U.S. 522, I heard the loud and raucous call of a crested flycatcher, officially known as the Great Crested Flycatcher. Why “great?” The bird is not particularly large — only the size of a robin — but, to me, his call and aggressive alertness indicates he regards himself as “great.” Tb almost state that a bird thinks is not very scientific but it satisfies me to perceive the bird in such terms.
The crested flycatcher yelps reep!; this is followed by a rolling and extended prrreet. It’s a startling call; a challenge to the world (and other crested flycatchers). Translated, I hear: “I am here! Take note!”
Hearing the crested flycatcher set me to thinking of vocal announcements of the whole flycatcher family. These sharp-eyed birds capture their food by perching on an exposed, leafless branch and darting out to snap flying insects out of the air. This capture is often accompanied by an audible snap of the bill if one is close enough. Our world would have many more flies, mosquitoes, and gnats were it not for flycatchers.
Few of the eastern flycatchers is strikingly marked; nor do any have colorful plumage. The crested flycatcher is, however, a pleasant combination of brownish gray, pale yellow and cinnamon. What this species lacks in color he makes up with his vocal equipment. Flycatch
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