flycatcher

American  

[flahy-kach-er] / ˈflaɪˌkætʃ ər /

noun

1. any of numerous Old World birds of the family Muscicapidae, that feed on insects captured in the air.

2. Also called tyrant flycatcher.  any of numerous similar American birds of the family Tyrannidae.

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flycatcher British  

/ ˈflaɪˌkætʃə /

noun

1. any small insectivorous songbird of the Old World subfamily Muscicapinae , having small slender bills fringed with bristles: family Muscicapidae See also spotted flycatcher

2. any American passerine bird of the family Tyrannidae

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Etymology

Origin of flycatcher

First recorded in 1590–1600; fly ¹ + catcher

Example Sentences

It’s also habitat for desert bighorn sheep, and birds including the threatened western yellow-billowed cuckoo and the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher.

From National Geographic • Aug. 8, 2023

Eastern phoebes are in the flycatcher family and consume not just flies, but also wasps, grasshoppers and even ticks — great news to those of us who can’t walk in the woods without getting bitten.

From New York Times • Jun. 2, 2023

Bird watchers now spot winged creatures like paradise flycatcher and Eurasian scops owl that don’t belong to the region.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 1, 2022

Wingspan, by contrast, is bright and lively, its cover featuring a scissor-tailed flycatcher against the backdrop of a blue sky.

From Slate • Aug. 15, 2021

Pantalaimon became a flycatcher, and as he flew among the branches, Lyra said, “Will, what d’you think those kids’ll do now?”

From "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman