Tyrannus savana
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| 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.
