Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus) is in the Tyrant Flycatchers family (Tyrannidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 26,834 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

When to photograph Scissor-tailed Flycatcher: observations by month (U.S.)

About Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

The scissor-tailed flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus), also known as the Texas bird-of-paradise and swallow-tailed flycatcher, is a long-tailed bird of the genus Tyrannus, whose members are collectively referred to as kingbirds. The kingbirds are a group of large insectivorous (insect-eating) birds in the tyrant flycatcher (Tyrannidae) family. The scissor-tailed flycatcher is found in North and Central America.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related birds (Tyrant Flycatchers)

Eastern PhoebeSayornis phoebe

Black PhoebeSayornis nigricans

Eastern KingbirdTyrannus tyrannus

Say's PhoebeSayornis saya

Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalis

Vermilion FlycatcherPyrocephalus rubinus

Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitus

Eastern Wood-PeweeContopus virens

Photography tips

• Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
• Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
• Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
• Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.

FAQ