Brown-crested Flycatcher Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesBrown-crested Flycatcher
Large brown, yellow, and gray flycatcher with peaked head and heavy bill. Note rufous in wings and tail. Best separated from other Myiarchus species by voice and range, along with large size.
© Scott Holt / Macaulay LibraryTexas, June 01, 2020Large flycatcher with brown crest, gray chest, and yellow belly. Note extensive rufous in tail. Best separated from other Myiarchus species by voice and range, along with large size.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryGuanacaste, November 10, 2008Perches in upper canopy of open woodlands to scan for insects and sing or call. Note long, heavy bill.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryGuárico, December 24, 2012Not all videos have sound
Large flycatcher with peaked head and large bill. Note rufous edging in primary feathers of wing, and pale wingbars.
© Nick Pulcinella / Macaulay LibraryArizona, July 06, 2019Large, large-billed flycatcher with gray chest, yellow underparts, and rufous highlights in wings and tail. Brown-crested is larger than many other Myiarchus species, and about the same size as Great Crested Flycatcher.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryOaxaca, April 05, 2019Call is a high, rising whit, less shrill than in Great Crested Flycatcher.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 29, 1998Not all videos have sound
Large, large-billed flycatcher, brown above with two pale wingbars. Sometimes crest is lowered and head appears rounded.
© Don Danko / Macaulay LibraryAruba, February 26, 2020Occurs in open, dry woodlands, often along streams; also in giant cactus stands, thorn scrub, mangroves, and lowland tropical deciduous forests.
© Martín Toledo / Macaulay LibraryCórdoba, April 09, 2017Similar SpeciesAsh-throated Flycatcher
Ash-throated Flycatchers are slightly smaller than Brown-crested, with a smaller bill. Ash-throated tends to show less rufous in the tail and a less distinct transition between the gray breast and yellow belly. The best way to distinguish the two species is by voice.
© Bryan Calk / Macaulay LibraryTexas, May 08, 2020Similar SpeciesDusky-capped Flycatcher
Dusky-capped Flycatcher is slightly smaller than Brown-crested, with a less heavy bill, less rufous in the tail, and less prominent wingbars.
© Daren O'Brien / Macaulay LibraryArizona, July 29, 2017Similar SpeciesGreat Crested Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatchers overlap with Brown-crested Flycatchers only during migration and winter in South Texas, Mexico, and points south. Great Crested tends to have darker gray throat and brighter yellow belly than Brown-crested, but the best way to distinguish the two species is by voice.
© Jack & Holly Bartholmai / Macaulay LibraryWisconsin, June 23, 2008Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Tyrant Flycatchers(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Tyrannidae)
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