flycatcher

noun

fly·​catch·​er ˈflī-ˌka-chər How to pronounce flycatcher (audio)
-ˌke-
: any of various passerine birds (families Muscicapidae and Tyrannidae) that feed on insects taken on the wing

Examples of flycatcher in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The company also plans to support important pollinators like native bumblebees and monarch butterflies and protect species of special concern like the willow flycatcher. The Arizona Republic, 16 Feb. 2024 During a hike in the Ramona Grasslands, the flaming red of a vermilion flycatcher flashed as the bird moved from one tree to another. Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Dec. 2023 Cattle tyrants are medium-sized flycatchers with light yellow belly feathers, olive-brown back feathers and grayish crown feathers. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Dec. 2023 At Birch Hill Wildlife Management Area in Winchendon three acadian flycatchers and 28 red crossbills were counted, and five evening grosbeaks were present in Royalston. BostonGlobe.com, 19 Aug. 2023 Two alder flycatchers and an orchard oriole at Mount Feake Cemetery in Waltham, three more orchard orioles at Fresh Pond in Cambridge, two purple martins in Dunstable, and three red crossbills at the Squannacook River Wildlife Management Area in Shirley. BostonGlobe.com, 5 Aug. 2023 Birds of Big Bend National Park: Vermillion flycatcher, Colima warbler, Mexican jay, Lucifer hummingbird and Green kingfisher. Camille Fine, USA TODAY, 29 July 2023 Martha’s Vineyard: A willow flycatcher near Squibnocket Pond, and an Acadian flycatcher and a Northern parula in Chilmark. Isabela Rocha, BostonGlobe.com, 15 July 2023 Cooper, who spends winters in the California desert, area, also enjoys spending time in the new Prescott Preserve in Palm Springs, a former golf course being restored as a haven for bluebirds, flycatchers, egrets, and other species, including a resident bobcat. Martin Wolk, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flycatcher.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of flycatcher was in 1678

Dictionary Entries Near flycatcher

Cite this Entry

“Flycatcher.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flycatcher. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

flycatcher

noun
fly·​catch·​er -ˌkach-ər How to pronounce flycatcher (audio)
-ˌkech-
: a small bird that feeds on insects that it captures in the air

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