Scissor-tailed Flycatchers by Sebastian Casarez

*Photo by Sebastian Casarez, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Male

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus) is the state bird for Oklahoma but, seen prominently all over Texas during migration. These beautiful, magnificant birds can be seen flying over fields displaying their sommersauts and hovering over the fields searching for insects. They frequently perch on fences, electric/light poles, and trees to fly catch. They are called Scissor-tailed Flycatchers because, when they take off from their perch they will spread their tails looking like a pair of scissors in the air. Scissor-tailed Flycatchers spend the Summer (March-November) here in Texas and the winter in South America. They nest in trees or power lines. 

*Photo by Sebastian Casarez, Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly

Scissor-tailed Flycatchers love to eat flies, dragonflies, and butterflies. Ways to identify Scissor-tailed Flycatchers is very distinctive. They are the only birds with super long scissor-like tails. Males have longer tails and have salmon-pink sides and are very pale white. Females have shorter tails than the males and lack the salmon-pink sides. Immatures have the shortest tails. You can find Scissor-tailed Flycatchers roosting in big flocks in trees during the evenings. Sometimes you can see Scissor-tailed Flycatchers hovering over parking lot lights at night time catching moths. 

So the next time your driving around Texas in the Summer look out for Scissor-tailed Flycatchers hovering or somersaulting in the air. It is a beautiful site to see! Don't forget they will leave for South America in November for Winter!

Happy Birding,

Sebastian Casarez

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