Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in November
Where scissor-tailed flycatchers are in November, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
November in the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher's year
November settles into the winter pattern. Migration tapers to the last hardy stragglers, winter flocks form and start roaming, and birds map out the reliable food sources in their territory. Cold snaps push sudden rushes of activity to feeders.
For the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher specifically, November is a fall 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 November
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- mostly absent (migration only)
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In November, 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 November
Scissor-tailed flycatchers are not nesting in November. 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 November
- Migrates to Mexico and Central America
Oklahoma's state bird. Perches on wires along rural roads; males sky-dance on spring mornings.
Winter flocks are forming their routes now — a feeder kept full from November onward becomes a regular stop.
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 November, 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 November?
In November, 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 November?
No — scissor-tailed flycatchers typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do scissor-tailed flycatchers eat in November?
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.