Flycatcher Bird Identification

The flycatcher family of birds is a large group that includes species such as the eastern phoebe, the scissor-tailed flycatcher, the eastern kingbird and the least flycatcher. These birds all feed on insects, catching them on the fly using their incredible aerial skills.

  1. Least Flycatcher

    • The least flycatcher of the northern states and Canada is a common songbird that has a white underbelly and olive-gray coloring on the back. Two bars of white on the wings help to identify this flycatcher.

    Eastern Phoebe

    • The eastern phoebe of the eastern half of the country is gray with lighter colors on its belly and chest, but its behavior often gives it away, as it constantly calls out “phe-bee” and bobs its tail up and down.

    Eastern Kingbird

    • The eastern kingbird, despite its name, exists across the U.S. and is dark above but light below. It will aggressively attack any intruders in its territory and stands up without fear against larger hawks and crows.

    Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher

    • Few birds are as easy to identify as the state bird of Oklahoma: the scissor-tailed flycatcher. It has a gray upper back and wings, a pink underbelly and tail feathers that extend outward as far as a foot.

    Vermilion Flycatcher

    • Most flycatchers possess drab colors, but not the vermilion flycatcher. The males of this species of the Southwest have a distinctive red or orange head, neck, chest and belly.