Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

photo © David Sarkozi, Houston Texas, 1996

Last updated 4/14/96

During the summer and spring you can see lots of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers perched on telephone wires and fences on rural roads on the UTC. Where there is one there are often several.

Scissor-tailed Flycatchers are distinctive birds with very long outer tail feathers. The tails of males are longer than females. Juveniles will have very short tails and might be confused with Western Kingbird (rare on the UTC).

Other characteristics are pearly gray head and upper parts. The sides and belly will be washed with salmon-pink color.

West Harris County and Attwater Prairie-Chicken NWR are very good spots for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. Almost any area with plenty of open space will likely have Scissor-tailed Flycatcher on the UTC.

A breeding range map is available form the Breeding Bird Survey
A winter range map is available from the Christmas Bird Count

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