University of Texas Press, Austin. Plate 72 Swallow-tailed Hawk. Adult birds have pale gray heads and upper parts, light underparts, salmon-pink flanks and undertail coverts, and dark gray wings. It … Poe’s father abandoned Edgar and his two siblings after the death of their mother. A field guide to western birds’ nests. During the 1987-1992  field work seasons of the TBBA project, atlasers found breeding evidence for Scissor-tailed Flycatchers throughout all regions of the state except the western Trans-Pecos and the western edge of the Panhandle. Rapid flight on stiff, quickly beating swept-back wings, alternating with gliding flight. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus). Birding is one of the fastest-growing outdoor activities in the U.S. With 639 species of birds documented in Texas, things really are bigger and better here in the Lone Star State. In any case, the Swainson’s Thrush split and the Yellow Warbler split (Yellow vs Mangrove vs Golden or Yellow vs Golden/Mangrove) Warbler split are the only two that I’d personally add to David’s well though out list. Am, Ornithol. 1995. Version 7.23.2007. Named By: LeRoy Johnson Jr. Named For: Spanish work for Swallow Split Tail bird which the base resembles Date Identified: 1964 Type Site: The Devils Mouth Site, Amistad Reservoir, Val Verde County, Texas Pomarine Jaeger: The dar morph of this large jaeger is dark brown except for white patches near underwing tips and sides of under tail. Price. Potter, K. M. 1998. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus). Characteristics: Texas State Bird. The former genus name, Muscivora, derives from the Latin word for "fly" (musca) and "to devour" (vorare), while the species name forficata derives from the Latin word for "scissors" (forfex). All the better to catch winged insects. Southbound movement starts as soon as early August and lasts until late October or early November. 2007). Clutches contain three to six eggs. Dole, J. M. 2004. These gulls are opportunistic feeders, robbing other birds of their catch as well as stealing from a tourist’s picnic and laughing loudly as if having fun in doing so. Kickapoo Cavern State Park. 1995. I saw one the other evening but couldn't get a picture. Fine feathers cover the back and have a … Tree Swallow: Medium-sized swallow with iridescent blue-green upperparts and white underparts. The few flycatchers breeding in extreme southeast Colorado nested at the edge of cottonwood groves (Potter 1998). Axillars and patch on underwing coverts are red. Like the closely related kingbirds, this species is often observed on open perches, ready to fly out to snag any insects in midflight. Colorado Bird Atlas Partnership, Denver. Price, J., S. Droege, and A. Split Tail Bird Texas, We pushed ourselves to the breaking point while supporting a fantastic charity! Bird Watching Near Eagle Pass TX. Lockwood, M. W. and B. Freeman. Nature Conservancy Dolan Falls Preserve. Harrison, H. H. 1979. Like other kingbirds, they are very aggressive in defending their nest. I have heard of a big black bird with white tail feathers that prey on baby goats, eating their eyeballs. STATUS. Turns back sharply on insects it passes. The tarsus is fairly short for the size of the bird at 3.3 cm (1.3 in). Birding in Texas is year-round, thanks to our location and diverse eco-regions, and can be rewarding in every corner of the state. Red Gobbler on face with blue head. 2007. The North American breeding bird survey, results and analysis 1966-2006. Texas A&M University Grab your binoculars and check out the best birdwatching spots near Eagle Pass, TX. The scissor-tailed flycatcher is the state bird of Oklahoma, and is displayed in flight with tail feathers spread on the reverse of the Oklahoma Commemorative Quarter. Today I’m sharing this Splendid Antique Split Tail Bird Image! Texas is for the birds. Characteristics: Large game bird with fan like tail feathers. Click for a hub of Extension resources related to the current COVID-19 situation. 41: 13-18. Mexican Duck is a good runner-up, and for extra-limital birds, the Bahama YT Warbler is rather different from ours. The scissor-tailed flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus), also known as the Texas bird-of-paradise and swallow-tailed flycatcher, is a long-tailed bird of the genus Tyrannus, whose members are collectively referred to as kingbirds. Brackettville, TX. Booklet, 34pp. The bird life of Texas. Trailing their long tails, they may also drop to the ground to capture these insects (Regosin 1998). University of Oklahoma Press, Norman. [3] Immature birds are duller in color and have shorter tails. TPWD's wildlife trails make it easier than ever to find the best birding hot spots. USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel MD < http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs>, Keith A. Arnold e-mail: kaarnold@tamu.edu. Bill is black, legs and feet are gray-black. 1.A Texas Bird of Paradise, the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. In Oklahoma atlasers mentioned prairies and fields with scattered trees and shrubs, woodland edges, hedgerows and occasionally towns (Dole 2004). SEASONAL OCCURRENCE. In spring the birds moult all but their black wing and tail feathers, and the bills of both sexes turn orange. Its former Latin name was Muscivora forficata. Ardeidae. Pre-migratory roosts and flocks flying south may contain as many as 1000 birds.[4]. This gorgeous little male was solid shiny black from the tip of its long narrow, pointed beak to its split tail with a bright irridescent yellow under belly and breast which came up to the edge of the beak. The summer atlas of North American birds. Potterhead Running Club (PHRC) is a virtual running club operated by Random Tuesday, Inc. (RTI), a 501(c)3 organization.