ROYAL FLYCATCHER - Bird of Belize

Royal Flycatcher 
Scissor-tailed flycatcher is a type of kingbird that belongs to the tyrant flycatcher family. It can be found in North, Central & South America. Scissor-tailed flycatcher inhabits savannas with scattered trees, fields, pastures, areas near the towns, golf courses and scrublands. Unlike for many other birds, deforestation is beneficial for scissor-tailed flycatchers because they prefer open areas. Climate changes, severe storms and tornadoes are the greatest threats for the survival of nearly hatched birds. Scissor-tailed flycatchers are numerous and widespread in the wild. They are not on the list of endangered species.

Royal Flycatcher Facts
Scissor-tailed flycatcher can reach 8.7 to 14.6 inches in length and 1.3 to 2 ounces of weight. Scissor-tailed flycatcher has grey head and back, white throat and belly, dark brown wings with white edges and salmon-pink flanks, lateral sides of the body and bottom parts of wings. Scissor-tailed flycatcher has medium-sized body, short, black bill and very long, forked tail. Males have much longer tail than females and juvenile birds. Long tail facilitates acrobatics in the air. Scissor-tailed flycatcher performs sharp twists and turns while it catches insects in the midair.

Royal Flycatcher - Diet
Diet of scissor-tailed flycatcher is based on insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, beetles and fruit (red mulberry and hackberry). Scissor-tailed flycatchers are welcome in the fields and gardens because of their ability to eliminate pest. Scissor-tailed flycatcher carries large insects to the fence wires and tree branches and beats them against the perch to make sure they are dead and "safe" for consumption.

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Royal Flycatcher - Mating & Reproduction

Mating season of scissor-tailed flycatchers takes place during the spring. Males perform "dance in the sky". They frequently open and close their tails (which look like a pair of scissors), to attract females. Scissor-tailed flycatchers form monogamous couples (these pairs usually stay together only one season) and produce one or two broods per year.  Scissor-tailed flycatchers collect stems, flowers, moss, oat catkins, wool and various artificial items such as strings, paper, pieces of cloths and cigarette filters for the construction of nest. Female builds cup-shaped nest in the bush or trees. Construction of nest can last couple of days or few weeks. Female lays 3 to 6 eggs that hatch after 13 to 23 days. Only female takes part in the incubation of eggs. Chicks are naked and helpless at birth. Both parents provide food for their chicks, which are ready to leave the nest at the age of 14 to 17 days. Scissor-tailed flycatcher can survive 10 to 15 years in the wild.

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Royal Flycatcher - Natural Enemies

Natural enemies of scissor-tailed flycatcher hawks, grackles, northern mockingbirds, sparrows, crows and blue jays. Scissor-tailed flycatchers gather in large, loud flocks at the end of summer and migrate toward the wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America. Group of scissor-tailed flycatchers is known as "zipper", "snip" or "pinking".