nae, 
mars a 
ere, 4 pa ba 
Lomi 
x . : 
kn XK 
(\ 
| 
x 
bs ? => 
= winter ——— vas 
° 200 400 = 600 __—800 
= 
miles 
Fig. 13. — General distribution of the great crested flycatcher. The 
outlined range may include large sections in which populations of the 
species are thin or even absent because of the nature of the terrain and 
paucity of suitable habitat. 
Holmes (1950) and Weise (1951) provide the best direct 
comparison of upland versus lowland populations of the 
crested flycatcher. In Piatt County on and near the 
Sangamon River, Holmes (1950) found 14 pairs of 
cresteds per 100 acres in the floodplain forest, and 5 pairs 
per 100 acres in upland forest, thus supporting the 
Illinois River data, but Weise (1951) found more pairs (9) 
in upland than in lowland forest (3 pairs). Cahn & Hyde 
(1929) considered the crested flycatcher to be a breeding 
species of cypress swamps, but populations have not been 
measured in this habitat. Johnston’s (1947) data on two 
forest areas in Champaign County suggest that the 
crested may be either predominantly a forest edge or a 
forest interior species, varying from place to place. In 
their long-term study of Trelease Woods (Champaign 
County) Kendeigh (1944) and his students found the 
crested to be primarily a forest interior species. 
Older censuses for the crested flycatcher tended to be 
higher than more recent censuses, implying that the 
species has declined in Illinois since 1900. Ridgway (1878) 
considered the crested to be the most abundant flycatcher 
around Mt. Carmel, but there are no comparative data 
for recent years. More census data are needed for all 
areas of the state, but especially so for southern Illinois. 
14 
In northeastern Illinois, Swink (1960, 1965) four 
that the crested flycatcher showed a definite preferen 
for oaks, and the few available data on nesting trees al 
indicate this preference (as the most frequently us 
species were oaks), and that willows were the secoi 
choice. Other species of trees used by cresteds for nesti 
were elms (Ulmus), apples, sycamore (Platanus), ai 
hackberry (Celtzs). Unidentified dead trees with peel 
bark were actually used as nest trees as often as willoy 
We have data on only 21 nests, and many more recor 
are needed to evaluate the importance of differe 
species. 
Allison (1947) found that territories of crest 
flycatchers were very closely spaced so that all availal 
area was used by the birds in a Piatt county forest wit 
high breeding population (25 pairs per 100 acre 
Published measurements of 26 crested territories 
central Illinois forests ranged in size from 0.6 to 4.6 ac 
and averaged, in different years and different plac 
about 3.1 acres (Fawver 19476) and 1.5 and 3.0 ac 
(Calef 1953). Twomey’s (1945) measurements of territi 
are apparently based on a different interpretation, as 
gives figures of about 11 and 14 acres for cresi 
territories in central Illinois. 
Nesting Cycle 
Little has been recorded (nothing in south 
counties) on the nesting of the great crested flycatche! 
Illinois. The song most often heard is a loud and rat 
unmusical ‘“wheeep” or “creeep” with rising inflecti 
sometimes prolonged with a series of staccato notes at 
end. In Ilinois the song has been heard from the time 
arrival in April to mid-September. In Piatt Cour 
Fawver (1947a) noted that singing was much reducec 
July but increased briefly in early August; we h 
observed the same pattern in southern Illinois. 
Homing by the crested flycatcher is indicated by 
return to Lisle, Illinois on June 13, 1936 of a bird ban 
there May 30, 1934 (Cooke 1937). 
There are no data on the duration of the nes 
cycle, or any phase of the cycle. The nests, which 
built in deserted woodpecker holes, or other natura 
man-made cavities, are composed of grass, cedar bi 
feathers, hair (including fur of small animals), and sn 
skin (Dickinson 1897, Ridgway 1889, Ford 1932). ! 
heights in natural sites have varied from 34 inches ak 
ground to about 50 feet, with no obvious domir 
height range. ‘ 
In earlier years, crested flycatchers sometimes plz 
their nests in crevices of buildings (Ridgway 1887, Lot 
1895), sites which now are usually occupied by he 
sparrows (Passer domesticus) or starlings (Stu! 
vulgaris). Though crested  flycatchers have 
considered tyrants toward other species of birds (Ridg 
1889), and have even driven sparrows, starlings, 
purple martins (Progne subis) away from nest b 
(Meany 1945), in the long run they are apparent]} 
match for the starling (Zeleny 1969). This relation 
must have had some effect on crested  flycat' 
