The breeding male Pied Flycatcher is easily identified with his bright, white underparts, black and white wings and little white spot on his forehead. In all other plumages they are duller, not so clean below and with brown not black upperparts. They can easily be told from Spotted Flycatchers by the white markings which go down as well as across the wing. Their habit of letting the wings droop below the level of the tail is typical of the Flycatchers. In female, or non-breeding plumages, they can be hard to distinguish from the other Ficedula Flycatchers but notice that the white at the base of the primaries and the pale second wing bar (on the median coverts) are either very small or lacking completely.

Found in mature woodlands. You may also see it in spring and autumn at coastal migration watchpoints.

Late April to September.

It is estimated that there are 35,000 to 40,000 breeding pairs in Britain each year. It is found mainly to the west of the UK, and not found in Northern Ireland. The valleys and hillsides of Wales are a good place to look for breeding birds in summer and the RSPB's Nagshead reserve has a good population.

Scarce passage migrant.  Does not breed.