flycatcher

Noun

Synonyms: Old World flycatcher true flycatcher New World flycatcher tyrant flycatcher tyrant bird

WordNet 3.0

Noun (2)

any of a large group of small songbirds that feed on insects taken on the wingSynonyms: Old World flycatcher true flycatcher
large American birds that characteristically catch insects on the wingSynonyms: New World flycatcher tyrant flycatcher tyrant bird

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Flycatcher \Fly"catch`er\, n. (Zool.) One of numerous species of birds that feed upon insects, which they take on the wing. [1913 Webster]

Note: The true flycatchers of the Old World are Oscines, and belong to the family Muscicapid[ae], as the spotted flycatcher (Muscicapa grisola). The American flycatchers, or tyrant flycatchers, are Clamatores, and belong to the family Tyrannid[ae], as the kingbird, pewee, crested flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus), and the vermilion flycatcher or churinche (Pyrocephalus rubineus). Certain American flycatching warblers of the family Sylvicolid[ae] are also called flycatchers, as the Canadian flycatcher (Sylvania Canadensis), and the hooded flycatcher (S. mitrata). See Tyrant flycatcher. [1913 Webster]