Tyrant flycatchers (Tyrannidae)
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Tyrannus forficatus. Grasshoppers and other large insects taken in the air.
Tyrant flycatchers (Tyrannidae)Scissor-tailed FlycatcherTyrannus forficatus
- Scientific name
- Tyrannus forficatus
- Length
- 8.7–14.6 in
- Weight
- 1.3–1.9 oz
- Nest
- Cup on an isolated tree limb or utility structure
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 3–6 eggs
- Incubation
- 13–16 days
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
Identification
- Pale grey with a salmon-pink flank wash
- Extraordinarily long, forked black-and-white tail
- Tail scissors open in flight
Voice
Sharp, stuttering 'pik' and bickering chatters.
Diet and feeding
Grasshoppers and other large insects taken in the air.
What do scissor-tailed flycatchers eat? · Best feeder for scissor-tailed flycatchers
Scissor-tailed Flycatchers by state and province
Frequently asked
What do scissor-tailed flycatchers eat?
Grasshoppers and other large insects taken in the air. At feeders: none — open country and scattered trees are the draw.
How big is a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher?
8.7–14.6 in long and 1.3–1.9 oz.
Do scissor-tailed flycatchers use birdhouses?
No. Cup on an isolated tree limb or utility structure.
Sources
- Scissor-tailed Flycatcher — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Scissor-tailed Flycatcher life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Scissor-tailed Flycatcher — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.