From Opus

Photo: Geomorph
Location: Utah Lake near Provo, Utah. USA

Tyrannus verticalis

[edit] Identification

A large flycatcher of 8-9.5 inches. The head and back are pale grey, the neck is white, and the underparts are yellow. This bird has white outer tail feathers and a small red stripe that is seldom seen on the top of the head.

[edit] Distribution

Breeds in western North America from southern British Columbia east to Minnesota, western Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas south to Texas and the Mexican border. Winters in southern Mexico south to Costa Rica; also a few winter in southern Florida. Rare but regular vagrant throughout eastern North America north to Newfoundland. Accidental vagrant north of range to Alaska.

[edit] Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species.

[edit] Habitat

Open country with trees, shrubs, or tall man-made structures. Habitats include grassland, desert shrub, pasture, savanna, and urban areas.

[edit] Behaviour

Voice: A loud sharp kit Also chatters much like the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.

Perches upright on tall weeds, exposed branches, or wires before sweeping forward on a 15-16.5 inch wingspan to catch insects in mid-air. The diet includes berries.

They make a sturdy open cup nest of grass stems, rootlets, fine twigs, bark and plant fibres, lined with fine material such as wool, cotton, hair, feathers, and cloth, in trees or on human-made structures, such as utility poles and fence posts. 2-7 creamy white with heavy dark spots, concentrated around large end, eggs are laid.

They do not eat from most seed feeders, and rather eat many bugs. They occasionally eat berries also.

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