ExploreBirds

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus forficatus

The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher is a beautiful bird with long, forked tail feathers. They love to catch insects in the air and can often be seen perched on fences or wires.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher has a sleek white and gray body, with salmon-pink flanks and underwing linings. Its most distinctive feature is its incredibly long, deeply forked black tail, which can be twice the length of its body.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyTyrannidaeGenusTyrannus
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
feathered trait badgeaerial trait badgesinging trait badgecolorful trait badge
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Sometimes, they pluck insects right from spiderwebs!

Their tails can grow almost twice as long as their bodies!

These birds migrate over 3,000 kilometers every year!

They bravely chase away much bigger birds of prey!

Special abilities

Ability

Aerial Acrobatics

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher can perform mid-air flips and dives because of its long tail, helping them snatch insects on the wing.

Ability

Tail Rudder Power

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher has a super-long forked tail that helps them steer precisely while chasing down fast-flying prey.

Ability

Migration Marathoner

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher can fly thousands of kilometers each year, thanks to its efficient wing shape, to find warm winter homes.

Measurements & details

Length
30-40 cm
Wingspan
38-41 cm
Weight
0.035-0.05 kg
Lifespan
2-8 years
Top Speed
45 km/h
Clutch Size
3-6
Incubation
14-20 days
Migration Distance
3500 km

Diet & Feeding

These birds are bug-eating experts, zipping through the air to catch flying insects!

Primary Foods

  • flies
  • grasshoppers
  • crickets
  • beetles
  • moths
  • dragonflies

Foraging Method

  • Pursuit

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

Scissor-tail

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't try to touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Scissor-tailed Flycatcher?

30-40 cm

What is Scissor-tailed Flycatcher's wingspan?

38-41 cm

How much does Scissor-tailed Flycatcher weigh?

0.035-0.05 kg

How long does Scissor-tailed Flycatcher live?

2-8 years

How fast can Scissor-tailed Flycatcher move?

45 km/h

What does Scissor-tailed Flycatcher eat?

These birds are bug-eating experts, zipping through the air to catch flying insects!

Where is Scissor-tailed Flycatcher usually found?

Grasslands

How does Scissor-tailed Flycatcher hunt?

Pursuit

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

Where to spot

More Birds