This species is to woodlands what the Eastern Kingbird is to open country. It is noisy, aggressive, and even more colorful. Living mostly under the forest canopy, however, it is much more often heard than seen, and is much less in evidence than its black-and-white relative. A mystifying habit is its frequent use of shed snakeskins in its nest lining. Whether this is intended to frighten off predators or merely decorate the nest is not known. The Great Crested is the only eastern flycatcher that nests in holes.