Pyrocephalus Obscurus – Vermilion Flycatcher

Pyrocephalus Obscurus - Vermilion Flycatcher found in the USA.

The vermilion flycatcher, Pyrocephalus obscurus is a tiny passerine bird found in South America and southern North America that belongs to the tyrant flycatcher family. Because of its vermilion-red coloring, it stands out among the otherwise drab Tyrannidae. Males have a vivid red crest, breast, and underparts, as well as brownish wings and tails. Females lack the bright red color and might be difficult to distinguish—they may be mistaken for the Say’s phoebe. The song of the vermilion flycatcher is a pit pit pit.

Quick Overview: Pyrocephalus Obscurus – Vermilion Flycatcher
Body size: Around 5.75-6.5 in (15-17 cm) and a weight of 14 g (0.5 oz)
Main colors: Gray-Black, Red, Black, White, Gray-Brown
Range: Southern United States
Migratory Bird: Yes
Best time of the year to see in the U.S.: All Year (January – December)
Conservation Status: Least Concern

Vermilion flycatcher Description

Flycatcher with gray-black upper parts and scarlet-red head, throat, and underparts. The eyeliner on her face is heavy and black. Wings and tail are gray-black, with a small white tip on the tail. The female has gray-brown upperparts, white underparts with brown streaks, and a pale to dark salmon belly and vent.

Pyrocephalus Obscurus - Vermilion Flycatcher found in the USA.
Pyrocephalus Obscurus – Vermilion Flycatcher. Photo by: Nigel

Size

These birds have a length of 5.75-6.5 in (15-17 cm) and a weight of 14 g (0.5 oz). Their wings could range from 12-13 in (30-33 cm).

Feeding

Vermillion flycatchers mostly feed on flying and ground insects, as well as other arthropods. Grasshoppers, honeybees, beetles, and crickets are their favorite prey.

Habitat

The Vermillion flycatcher loves open environments including arid scrubland, farmland, desert, savannah, cultivated fields, and riparian forest.

Behavior

Vermillion flycatchers don’t spend much time on the ground. They are diurnal and, like other flycatchers, are notable for sallying from a perch to catch prey in mid-flight. There is no information on sleeping, roosting, or sunning. Both males and females preen regularly during the day, and they have been observed wiping their bills on branches to clean them after feeding.

Pyrocephalus Obscurus Scientific Classification

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Subphylum: Chelicerata
  • Class: Aves
  • Order: Passeriformes
  • Family: Tyrannidae
  • Genus: Pyrocephalus
  • Species: Pyrocephalus obscurus

Best time of the year to see

In the United States, the best time of year to see these birds is all year round, regardless of the season. This refers to any month of the year between January and December.

Distribution of the Vermilion flycatcher in the USA

This species breeds from southeastern California to central Texas and then south through Mexico and into the tropics. It spends the winter in the southern half of its breeding area, but it can be found as far east as the Gulf Coast, from Mexico to Florida.

The Vermilion flycatcher can be found in the following states in the United States – Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.

Pyrocephalus Obscurus – Vermilion Flycatcher

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The maximum upload file size: 15 MB. You can upload: image. Drop file here

Scroll to top