Profile: Scissor-tailed flycatcher

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER

Tyrannus forficatus

Spend a few minutes watching one of these males at work and it's easy to tell how they got their name.

The tail that can be almost twice the length of the bird's body opens in flight to make a big V that the birds use as rudders to perform impressive aerial moves.

And though it looks like they're mainly just showing off with their fancy flight, chances are the flycatchers are feeding on some swarm of hapless insects.

Much of south-central Kansas is ideal scissortail habitat with plenty of open spaces dotted with trees and brush. The birds can often be seen resting on utility lines or atop wire fences.

There's no mistaking a big adult male scissortail for any other species of native Kansas bird. Many have just returned to the Wichita area from their winter homes in Central and South America.

This story was originally published April 17, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Profile: Scissor-tailed flycatcher."