# Vermilion Flycatcher (*Pyrocephalus rubinus*) The Vermilion Flycatcher is a bright red bird that loves to catch insects in mid-air. It has a cheerful song and can often be seen perched on low branches, looking for tasty treats. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 8 - **Habitat:** Open areas with trees ![Vermilion Flycatcher](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Scarlet_Flycatcher%252C_female%252C_Ayolas%252C_Paraguay_%281%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Greg Schechter from San Francisco, USA, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Scarlet_Flycatcher%252C_female%252C_Ayolas%252C_Paraguay_%281%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Vermilion Flycatcher is a small bird, famous for the male's incredibly vibrant, fiery red body and crest, sharply contrasted by a dark mask and wings. Females are much plainer, with a dusky brown back and streaks on their white or pale yellow belly. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Tyrannidae - **Genus:** Pyrocephalus ## Interesting facts - Baby Vermilion Flycatchers look nothing like their dad, with streaky feathers. - Males often perform a special "flutter-flight" display to impress potential mates. - Their scientific name, "Pyrocephalus rubinus," means "fire-headed ruby"! - These tiny birds are known to fearlessly chase much larger birds from their nest. ## Special abilities - **Flaming Feather Flash:** The male's brilliant red plumage attracts mates and warns rivals, helping them establish territory and find a partner. - **Songbird Sentinel:** They have a clear, cheerful song and often perch on exposed branches, acting as a watchful guardian over their territory. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 13-14 cm - **Wingspan:** 24-27 cm - **Weight:** 0.01-0.014 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-8 years - **Speed:** 40 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-4 - **Incubation:** 14-15 days - **Migration Distance:** 1500 km ## Diet & Feeding These tiny birds are expert bug hunters, snatching flying insects right out of the air! - **Primary Foods:** flies, beetles, grasshoppers, butterflies, dragonflies - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Cooper's Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cooper-s-hawk) (*Accipiter cooperii*) — Adults and fledglings are prey for larger birds of prey. - **Parasitizes:** [Brown-headed Cowbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-headed-cowbird) (*Molothrus ater*) — Cowbirds sometimes lay their eggs in flycatcher nests. - **Hunts:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Vermilion Flycatchers prey on flying insects like bees. - **Depends on:** Goodding's Willow (*Salix gooddingii*) — Often nests in riparian trees like willows for shelter. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Vermilion Flycatcher? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Vermilion Flycatcher? 13-14 cm ### What is Vermilion Flycatcher's wingspan? 24-27 cm ### How much does Vermilion Flycatcher weigh? 0.01-0.014 kg ### How long does Vermilion Flycatcher live? 3-8 years ### How fast can Vermilion Flycatcher move? 40 km/h ### What does Vermilion Flycatcher eat? These tiny birds are expert bug hunters, snatching flying insects right out of the air! ### Where is Vermilion Flycatcher usually found? Open areas with trees ## Where to spot - [Boyce Thompson Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/boyce-thompson-arboretum) — Arizona, US · Botanical Garden - [Mariscal Mine](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mariscal-mine) — Texas, US · Historic Site - [Mesa Grande](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mesa-grande) — Arizona, US · Historic Site - [Rattlesnake Springs Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rattlesnake-springs-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Downtown Deming Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/downtown-deming-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Ethel M Botanical Cactus Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ethel-m-botanical-cactus-garden) — Nevada, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Vermilion Flycatcher](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/vermilion-flycatcher) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Vermilion Flycatcher: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/vermilion-flycatcher)