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Fork-tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus savanaOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Flycatchers (Tyrannidae)

Breeding Location:

Bushes, shrubs, and thickets, Grasslands, open



Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Solitary nester



Breeding Population:

Casual to accidental



Egg Color:

White with lavender and brown spots



Number of Eggs:

2 - 3



Incubation Days:

14 - 17



Egg Incubator:

Female



Nest Material:

Grasses, plant fiber, leaves, and bark shreds., Lined with seed down, plant down, and hair.



Migration:

Migratory



Splitbar

Overview

Fork-tailed Flycatcher: Medium-sized flycatcher with pale gray upperparts, black head, inconspicuous yellow crown stripe, and white underparts. Wings and spectacularly long, deeply forked tail are black. Wing linings are white. Swift flight with shallow wing beats. Feeds on insects.

Range and Habitat

Fork-tailed Flycatcher: Occurs from southern Mexico to Argentina, but strays to the eastern U.S. seaboard. Prefers savannas and pastures with trees or low bushes.

Breeding and Nesting

Fork-tailed Flycatcher: Two to three white eggs with brown and lavender spots are laid in a cup nest made of grass, plant fibers, leaves, and bark shreds lined with seed down, plant down, and hair. Incubation ranges from 14 to 17 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Fork-tailed Flycatcher: Eats insects, berries, and fruits; forages by catching insects in air or plucking them from vegetation.

Readily Eats

Meal Worms

Vocalization

Fork-tailed Flycatcher: Song is a low, chattering "ek-ek-ek-ek-ek." Call is a sharp, repetitive "sik" or "plik."

Similar Species

Fork-tailed Flycatcher: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher has gray head and salmon-pink sides, flanks, and underwings.

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Family Flycatcher (Tyrannidae)_blue
Species Tyrannus savana
Length14.5 Inches
Wingspan15 Inches

Fork-tailed Flycatcher

Fork-tailed Flycatcher: Medium-sized flycatcher with pale gray upperparts, black head, inconspicuous yellow crown stripe, and white underparts. Wings and spectacularly long, deeply forked tail are black. Wing linings are white. Swift flight with shallow wing beats. Feeds on insects.

● Song: "ek-ek-ek-ek-ek", "sik", "plik"

● Foraging & Feeding: Fork-tailed Flycatcher: Eats insects, berries, and fruits; forages by catching insects in air or plucking them from vegetation.

● Breeding & nesting: Fork-tailed Flycatcher: Two to three white eggs with brown and lavender spots are laid in a cup nest made of grass, plant fibers, leaves, and bark shreds lined with seed down, plant down, and hair. Incubation ranges from 14 to 17 days and is carried out by the female.

● Similar species: Fork-tailed Flycatcher: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher has gray head and salmon-pink sides, flanks, and underwings.

Flight Pattern

Swift flight with shallow wing beats and long rippling tail streamers.
Fork-tailed Flycatcher Breeding Male Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Fork-tailed Flycatcher: Occurs from southern Mexico to Argentina, but strays to the eastern U.S. seaboard. Prefers savannas and pastures with trees or low bushes.
BreedingMonogamous, Solitary nester
PopulationCasual to accidental
MigrationMigratory
Weight1 Ounces