Search for the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

When there is a rare bird sighting in our area, you can bet that it will be posted on the  San Diego Region Birding website. As soon as I saw the posting on this website that there was a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher spotted at Twin Trails Park in Rancho Penasquito, I e-mailed Eve to see if she wanted to dawn patrol the area and search for the Flycatcher. Eve was quick with her answer and the birding day trip was on for 6:00am! There are many birding trips when we've been unable to spot the bird that we were searching for. But today, it was an epic birding morning, where we got to see our target bird, not just one but four Scissor-tailed Flycatchers!

As soon as we arrived, we spotted two birders looking intently at a large eucalyptus tree on the west side of the baseball field back of the home plate. We hurried over and sure enough, we were rewarded with the sight of four Scissors-tailed Flycatchers all on the same tree. Soon there were many more photographers and birders all hoping to get a good look. Our highlight of the day was meeting  Greg Gillson  in person! He has a wonderful informative website giving great detail on how to get to many super birding sites as well as having come to our rescue more than once with help IDing birds. Here is a photo of an adult Scissor-tailed Flycatcher with that famous long tail.

A shot of one of the Scissor-tailed fledglings. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Tyrannus forficatus measures 10 inches long (adult male may measure 15 inches long) with a wingspan of 15 inches. They are common in Midwestern states especially Texas where they are also known as "Texas bird of paradise".

A second fledgling is seen.

One of the fledglings has spotted a bug.

Got it!

Showing us his underside as he flies off with the bug.

Adult looks on.

 

 Another fledgling shot.

Two fledglings and an adult in this frame.

A youngster flies close to the adult.

Wants to land on the same branch as the adult.

But decides to pick the next one over.

Flies to the next branch.

 

The adult calls out to the juvenile.

And flies up to the next branch.

I'm not sure what is going on here.

Maybe lots of excitement to encourage the youngster to keep flying.

The adult lands above the fledgling.

 

They both move to the chain link fence area where there is a carrotwood tree loaded with berries. The youngster starts to beg to be fed.

 Youngster begs for food with beak wide open

The youngster keeps up the begging.

Adult gets ready to fly.

The youngster follows the adult closer to the berries. (Sorry for such grainy photos. It was a dark overcast morning.)

The adult comes back with a red berry from the Carrotwood tree.

Happy fledgling getting fed.

 A good look at the famous tail on the adult.

The youngster begs for more food.

 The parent brings more food.

Food service.

It was exciting to get three Scissor-tailed Flycatchers in one frame.

The one on the right of this photo appears to have peachy/yellow coloring on his underarm area but not the bright coral color of a full adult.

The one in the meddle of this photo has a nice long tail for a fledgling and the one on the left has a nice long tail.

The Scissor-tail Flycatcher on the left is the adult.

Here is the proof. See the bright orange color under its wings at the under arm area and light peach color on the side of the belly.

The adult flies away.

A photo of an adult always keeping an eye on the youngster.

A youngster begs for food.

This fledgling appears to be the youngest.

A beautiful youngster spots an adult and flies to her.

Flying over to the adult.

Youngster flying towards the adult.

The adult flaps its wings as if giving flight signals as if to say "you're coming in too close and too fast"

 The youngster wobbles to a stop on the lower part of the branch.

We get a good look at the tail of this youngster.

Now there is activity at the carrotwood tree. We are treated to another feeding session. The adult has a berry/seed that she has just plucked out of the carrotwood tree. 

 An adult is looking over the carrotwood tree seed pods to see which one looks ripe enough to feed the youngster

Got one! The youngest one appears to be the winner of the meal. We barely can see the feeding behind the leaves.

 

Waiting for his meal. 

Here is the parent with a nice berry/seed.

The adult brings the food over to the youngster. 

Feeding time. 

Going for more food. 

A beautiful flight of the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.

Side view as the adult looks for ripe berries.

A sweet photo of an adult and youngster. It's been a very exciting morning to see these rare birds in San Diego County and now it's time to head for home. 

Have a wonderful week everyone!