Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in January
Where scissor-tailed flycatchers are in January, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
January in the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher's year
January is the coldest month across most of the US and Canada. Natural food is at its scarcest — insects are dormant, many seed heads are stripped, and snow cover hides what remains. Birds concentrate where food is reliable, which makes this the single best month to watch a well-stocked feeding station.
For the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher specifically, January is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 9 states and provinces where scissor-tailed flycatchers occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where scissor-tailed flycatchers are in January
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- mostly absent (migration only)
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In January, scissor-tailed flycatchers are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) across the mid-latitudes, and absent in the northern states and Canada. That north–south split is the defining feature of this month: where you live changes which version of this bird you're looking at.
Nesting in January
Scissor-tailed flycatchers are not nesting in January. The season runs May–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, scissor-tailed flycatchers put their energy into feeding and flocking rather than territory and young — which is exactly what makes them easier to watch and attract this month.
What to feed in January
- Migrates to Mexico and Central America
Oklahoma's state bird. Perches on wires along rural roads; males sky-dance on spring mornings.
Keep feeders consistently filled; birds add dependable stations to their daily foraging routes and suffer when one suddenly runs empty during a cold snap. High-energy foods matter most now.
Full Scissor-tailed Flycatcher diet guide → · Best feeder for scissor-tailed flycatchers →
Watching scissor-tailed flycatchers this month
Scissor-tailed flycatchers are settled and predictable in January, which makes this a good month to learn the bird's routine — same feeders, same perches, same times of day.
The state guides below show exactly where in your region scissor-tailed flycatchers are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher month by month
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher by state
Frequently asked
Where are scissor-tailed flycatchers in January?
In January, scissor-tailed flycatchers are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do scissor-tailed flycatchers nest in January?
No — scissor-tailed flycatchers typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do scissor-tailed flycatchers eat in January?
Migrates to Mexico and Central America.
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.