Ficedula albicollis is a summer visitor, mainly to eastern and central Europe, with its entire global breeding range confined to the region. Its European breeding population is very large (>1,400,000 pairs), and was stable between 1970-1990. Although there were declines in a few marginal populations during 1990-2000, key populations in the core of the range-notably Romania, Russia and Ukraine - were stable or increased, and the species underwent a small increase overall.
This flycatcher is breeding in central and eastern Europe, from north-eastern France to south-western Russia and from southern Italy to Gotland in the Baltic Sea. It inhabits different types of forest, but most frequently deciduous forests, especially old oak (Quercus) forests. It is wintering in southern East Africa, just south of the Equator. The population of the European Union (12 Member States) is estimated at 20000-35000 breeding pairs, which represents 4-8% of the global population of this species (EBCC Atlas of European Breeding Birds). This bird seems to be especially sensitive to the type of forest exploitation, and modern forestry methods are definitely detrimental.

In continental middle latitudes of west Palearctic, in temperate and warm temperate climates. A bird of warmer more continental regions, more attached to crowns of trees rather than their lower branches, and less frequently on ground.

Breeding starts may to mid June in Central Europe. Nest site is a natural or artificial hole in tree, wall, or building. Preferred height above ground up to 15 m, rarely close to ground. Nest is a cup of dry grass, leaves, and stalks, lined with fine grass. 5-7 eggs incubation by female for 12-14 days. Young fledge after 15-18 days.

Arthropods, flying and non-flying, during breeding season, larval Lepidoptera important. Food obtained by sallying out from perch after flying prey, by picking directly from leaves and twigs, and from ground. Seems to be unable to recognize motionless insects as prey.

This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 1,000,000-10,000,000 km2. It has a large global population estimated to be 2,900,000-4,900,000 individuals (BirdLife International in prep.). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Trans-Saharan migrant, wintering in Africa, mainly south of equator to c. 20°S. Autumn heading from breeding grounds in southern Germany is narrowly confined, SSE to Italy, apparently followed by non-stop flight from Italy over Mediterranean and Sahara, as few records from Mediterranean islands and North Africa. In contrast to autumn, numerous spring records from Sahara, Mediterranean, and North Africa; heaviest passage appears to be through east Mediterranean. Autumn departure from breeding grounds mainly August; return mainly from mid-April to late May. Records in Britain mostly on east coast: of 15 records, 1947-85, 14 between 4 May and 6 June, 1 in September; seasonal bias likely to arise, at least in part, from more distinctive spring than autumn plumage. For similar reason, nearly all records in Britain, and elsewhere away from breeding grounds, are of males.

article number 1 Title
Reproductive investment and moult-breeding overlap in the collared flycatcher Ficedula albicollis: an experimental approach
Author(s): Hemborg, C. & Merilä, J. 1999
Abstract: We manipulated brood sizes of 132 pairs of the collared flycatcher to investigate whether or not an investment in reproduction was traded against an investment and timing of the post-nuptial moult. Ou..[more]..
Source: Ann. Zool. Fennici 36: 1-9
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article number 2 Title
Evolution and expression of genetic variation in nestling traits
Author(s): Juha Merilä, Loeske E.B. Kruuk, B.C. Sheldon
Abstract: Environmental conditions experienced during early life are known to impact upon the development of passerine nestlings, as well as on their performance and fitness as adults. Nevertheless, little is ..[more]..
Source: Acta Zoologica Sinica 52(Supplement): 666-669, 2006
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article number 3 Title
Immune challenge mediates vocal communication in a passerine bird: an experiment
Author(s): Laszlo Zsolt Garamszegi, Anders Pape Moller et al.
Abstract: Secondary sexual characters may have evolved in part to signal resistance to parasites. Avian song has been hypothesized to be involved in this process, but the role of parasites in modulating acousti..[more]..
Source: Behavioral Ecology Vol. 15 No. 1: 148-157
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article number 4 Title
Availability and use of public information and conspecific density for settlement decisions in the collared flycatcher
Author(s): Blandine Doligez, Tomas Pärt, Etienne Danchin, Jean Clobert and Lars Gustafsson
Abstract: Public information, i.e. local reproductive performance of conspecifics, is expected to be a highly valuable cue for breeding habitat selection. However, the access to this cue may be spatially and te..[more]..
Source: Journal of Animal Ecology (2004) 73, 75-87
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