Habitat: Breeds in semi-open, small-scale landscapes and wooded areas on sandy soils. Likes to use nest boxes. During migration, can also be found outside breeding areas.

Appearance: Widespread and locally common summer visitor in Europe. Fairly numerous breeding bird in Belgium and the Netherlands – year-round resident – migratory – passage migrant in fairly small numbers.

Breeding season: May – July, cavity nester – the nest is built in all kinds of cavities and niches, 6 – 7 eggs.

Characteristics: Length 13 cm, wingspan 21 – 24 cm, weight 11 – 18 grams, age 11 years.

Food: Pied flycatchers hunt from a vantage point and catch insects flying past in the air with an audible clapping of their beaks. They can also hover in the air and pick insects off walls and bark. The prey is struck against something so that the legs and wings break off. The remaining hard parts are eaten and later regurgitated as pellets.