Earlier this week, I was delighted to have an adult Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in my viewfinder for a bit at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher perched on a wooden post, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaScissor-tailed Flycatcher perched on a wooden post – Canon R7, handheld, f11, 1/1250, ISO 500, -0.3 EV, Canon RF 800mm, natural light

There was a pair of these long-tailed flycatchers at a parking area near a stand of tall, old cottonwood trees. They were mostly looking for insects in the short grasses.

The Scissor-tailed Flycatchers may nest in the nearby cottonwood trees. If they do, I might have a chance to photograph their young later this summer.

When I get back to the refuge, I’ll be sure to look for them in the same area again.

Have you ever seen a bird with a tail so long it looks like a pair of scissors flying through the air? That’s the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher-Oklahoma’s official state bird, and it’s one of the most eye-catching birds in North America.

These flycatchers are about the size of a robin, but what really sets them apart is that crazy-long, forked tail. When they’re in flight, you can’t miss it-the tail opens and closes like a pair of scissors, which is exactly how they got their name.

The rest of their look is pretty striking too: soft gray on top, white underneath, with flashes of salmon-pink on their sides and under their wings.

Scissor-tailed Flycatchers love open spaces-think prairies, ranches, and even roadsides. If you’re driving through breeding range in the spring or summer, keep an eye out for them perched on fences or telephone wires, scanning for insects.

The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher isn’t just the state bird of Oklahoma. It’s a real character. Beautiful and beneficial, it’s a fly-catching stunner on wings!

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Scissor-tailed Flycatcher photos plus facts and information about this species.