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The Scissortail Flycatcher

© Glenda Gibbons

Flycatchers are visible in North America only in the summer months, breeding in the southwest regions of the country. They winter in the areas from Mexico down to Panama and South America. There are many different species of flycatchers, but perhaps the most flamboyant of these is the scissortail.

Scissortail flycatchers belong to the family Tyrannidae. Their scientific name is Tyrannus forficatus. During summer months, they frequent the area from southeast Colorado to southern Nebraska. All flycatchers are migratory, but the scissortail is probably the most well known due to its beautiful, long tail feathers. Without the tail feathers, it would be commonly confused with the Eastern Kingbird. In fact, the female is frequently confused, as the male is the only one of the species that possesses the long tail feathers.

The Scissortail Flycatcher is a beautiful bird, about 11-15" (28-38 cm ) long. Its color is a pearly gray with a salmon pink color on the inside of the wings. It is not uncommon to spot hybrids of the Scissortail Flycatcher and the Eastern Kingbird. They tend to frequent semi-open country such as farmland, ranches, and even roadside areas with wires for perching.

An experienced birder can identify the various calls and trills of the Scissortail Flycatcher, but the novice must be content with following the shrill calls that sound similar to bickering; a harsh "keck", "kew" or "ka-leep".

Of all the flycatchers, the scissortail is the only one with long tail feathers, making it resemble a "bird-of-paradise". Truly, once you have seen a Scissortail Flycatcher, you will not forget the sight. They are really beautiful birds.

Scissortail Flycatchers tend to make their nests in trees or bushes. The nest consists of a bulky "cup" of grass and/or weeds. These are very territorial birds, tolerating very little in the form of trespassers into their nesting and perching areas. Larger predators such as hawks, crows, and ravens are harassed with the finesse of a bird much larger than the Scissortail. They are frequently known as the "bee martin" among apiary keepers because they frequently snap up passing honeybees.

All flycatchers feed upon their prey in the same manner; they sit quietly on their perch waiting for a meal to fly by. Then they spring into action dashing suddenly into the air to snap up the unfortunate insect, clicking their bill closed in satisfaction. Particularly large insects are literally beaten against the perch, breaking them into smaller, palatable pieces. It is not unusual for the scissortail, as well as other flycatchers, to supplement their diets with berries.

The copyright of the article The Scissortail Flycatcher in Tropical Birds is owned by Glenda Gibbons. Permission to republish The Scissortail Flycatcher in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.