The International Ornithologists' Union has split the species from the spotted flycatcher, but other taxonomic authorities considered it still conspecific.

The crown, throat and breast are streaked with brown while the wings and tail feathers are edged with paler thin margins.

[5] The subspecies M. t. tyrrhenica has paler and warmer plumage on the upperparts, with more diffuse markings on the head and breast.

Most passerines moult their primary flight feathers in sequence beginning near the body and proceeding outwards along the wing.

The Mediterranean flycatcher is unusual in replacing the outer flight feathers before those nearer the body.