The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus) has a long, forked tail. The bird is 13 inches long from beak to tip of tail. Typical of flycatchers, it feeds on insects, making it a very valuable bird when it comes to controlling insect pests. Insects consumed include moths, butterflies, grasshoppers, locusts, beetles, and cotton worms.

Its breeding range includes the southcentral United States, eastern Colorado and Nebraska, south to Texas. This is the State Bird of Oklahoma. It can also be found in southern Kansas and occasionally in southwestern Missouri, western Arkansas and Illinois. It winters in Central America. Breeding season is from March to October. Some birds remain in the Galveston area year round.

This flycatcher prefers open country and woodland edges. It is a restless bird, spending its days flitting about in pursuit of insect prey.

The bulky nest is built on the limb of a tree from available materials. The clutch size is from 3 to 5 white eggs blotched with brown. The incubation period is 14 days and the young fledge in two weeks. Two broods are sometimes raised.

This little Scissor-tailed Flycatcher is only 6 inches long. Wild Republic, maker of these birds, has joined hands with the National Audubon Society to create this line of birds. Each bird's lifelike design and detailing is the result of input from Audubon. Additionally the sound in this toy is an authentic Scissor-tailed Flycatcher provided by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Wild Republic's affiliation with these two bird organizations emphasizes its commitment to nature conservation. Check the Gift Shop to see if there are any Scissor-tailed Flycatchers in stock.

Class - Aves | Order - Passeriformes | Family - Tyrannidae | Genus - Tyrannus Lacepede Species - Tyrannus forficatus

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