Fork-tailed flycatcher

Tyrannus savana

Photo by Yves Roumazeilles (Roumazeilles.net)

Common name:

fork-tailed flycatcher (en); tesourinha (pt); tyran des savanes (fr); tijereta sabanera (es); gabelschwanz-königstyrann (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Passeriformes

Family Tyrannidae

Range:

This species is found from central Mexico all the way south to central Argentina.

Size:

Due to their extremely long tail, males are larger than female, being 37-41 cm long while females are just 28-30 cm long. They weigh 28-32 g.

Habitat:

Fork-tailed flycatchers are found in a wide variety of habitats including pastures, open savannas and cerrado, and riparian forests. They are also open residential areas with scattered trees.

Diet:

These birds mostly hunt insects in flight, but will also eat berries and small fruits during winter if insects become scarce.

Breeding:

Fork-tailed flycatchers breed in September-December. Both sexes build the nest, an open cup made of twigs placed in a small tree 2-6 m above the ground. The female lays 1-3 eggs which are incubated by both parents for 13-16 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 15 days after hatching.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

This species has a very large breeding range and has a global population estimated at 5-50 million individuals. The population is suspected to be stable owing to its nomadic nature and ability to thrive in a wide range of open habitats.