The Spotted Flycatcher (Tringa ochropus) is a small bird, which, when stretched, measures between 21 and 24 cm, and its wingspan is 41 to 46 cm. The Spotted Flycatcher is characteristically contrasting in color – the dorsal side of its body and wings is distinctly dark, while the ventral side is completely white. If we are lucky enough to observe it up close, we will see that its dark-brown wings and back are speckled with small whitish spots. Its gray-brown head, neck and throat are patterned with dirty white stripes. From the base of its straight bill to the eye runs a black line, above it there is a white line. Its entirely black eye is white-rimmed. The legs are greenish. In the breeding season it also shows a snowy white rump in addition to the black color of broad wings and white underparts. The whiteness of the short tail is interrupted on the top by three blackish semicircular transverse bands, one of them faded, two pronounced. It seems that it is especially proud of its white and black tail, as it flicks it while walking, like a shepherdess.
The Spotted Flycatcher does not like large crowds. Even during migration it rarely gathers into a flock of more than 30 individuals. It is a daytime-active, very wary and shy bird. Usually we notice it only when it is frightened and flies away to a safe distance. Outside the breeding season it stays at various types of inland waters and near them. We can observe it on marshy areas, lake shores, flooded meadows, drainage ditches, on riverbanks and by small streams. It preys especially on small invertebrates that it deftly picks up with its long bill. In addition to invertebrates it also treats itself to some small fish, if it manages to catch one, and its diet is supplemented with plant-based foods. It winters in southern Europe and tropical parts of Africa and Asia. In our country it is a common winter visitor, very rarely does it nest here as well.
Breeding of the Spotted Flycatcher takes place from April to June in northern Europe and Asia in secluded damp forests near rivers, lakes, wetlands or tall reed beds. This species of flycatcher usually nests high in a tree in an abandoned nest of a thrush, stock dove, crow, jackdaw or some other bird species, sometimes also on a natural surface up to 20 m above ground.
