Vermilion Flycatcher

Vermilion Flycatchers have enviable eyes.

This not-so-shy little flycatcher spends nearly 90% of his day just perched and looking for food.

This one hunts the outfield grasses of a local ball diamond.

When he sees something of interest he's off in a blaze of brilliant red.

From there on it's a twisting, turning, dizzying display of avian gymnastic.

What he captures is surely of minuscule nutritional value... hardly worth the energy expelled in chasing it.

Though he must feel differently.

(Click any picture to enlarge.)

A female Vermilion Flycatcher is also hunting in the next tree over. She's waiting for a insect to rise from the grass also. Then it will be her turn to dine.

There is no sharing of insects between them at this point... no gathering of insects for young. It's still a little early in the season for nesting.

After a few minutes of quiet watching and waiting, it's off again at full speed.

He covered a 50 foot semi-circle of the grassy outfield. It astonished me how he could see a flying insect no larger than a gnat at that distance.

Just as astonishing was his ability to corral an insect and catch it in the air.

You must be patient.

This airshow takes some time to get going and then it will be over in seconds.

Still, you will be amazed at the Vermilion Flycatcher's arial antics and his ability to see the nearly invisible.

Allan

Credits:
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds
The Sibley's Guide to Birds

Vermilion Flycatcher

Kermit the Frog’s claim that, ‘it's not easy being green’ may be true, but being vermilion presents a challenge, too.

It’s hard to hide in a red feather suit and the male Vermilion Flycatcher is spectacularly dressed in one.  His brilliance doesn’t make him self-conscious though, as he perches proudly while scanning for insects. 

He plucks insects out of the air.

The female Vermilion Flycatcher’s is a standout beauty, too, with her peachy-pink belly.  In the bird-world, filled largely with colorless females, these two make an impressive pair.

Fortunately for the nestlings, an extraordinary degree of mimicry keeps them hidden and safe.

Dressed in white-tipped charcoal feathers, they’ve evolved precisely to match the trees they were born into.

Bright orange, gaping  mouths reveal their presence, but only when a parent is near. Otherwise, they remain motionless and quiet.

Another adaptation in the bird world is the fecal sac*.  The young nestlings excrete their waste surrounded by a transparent mucus membrane.  The sacs are removed, primarily by the female, and deposited some distance away to keep the nest tidy.  An untidy nest could produce odors which could invite predators.  

There are many challenges to protecting this family of three.

(Click any picture to enlarge)

                         

Feral or free-roaming house cats are major predators on birds.  This nest was within easy reach of a tree-climbing cat.

Nestled six-feet overhead on a park tree branch, the daily duties of raising a family played out despite the commotion of baseball, bicycles and baby strollers below.

Meals arrive every 5-10 minutes.  After a parent deposits an insect treat into an open mouth, he departs quickly to avoid attracting attention to the nest. 

It’s a task made seemingly more difficult when you’re bright red.

Come sundown it’s time to sleep. 

The frustrated female shuffled the three nestlings under her breast, with anxious concern.  At times, one or another nestling was unhappy with the sleeping arrangements the mother struggled so hard to provide.  They let her know it, too.

This bedtime battle continued for a while as the sun set behind the mountains.  

All this fuss could attract unwanted attention and it was hardly appreciated by the mother.

When she had enough, she made the adult decision and put her foot down, so to speak.  She got the final word...finally.  She sat down on top of them. 

Still and quiet prevailed for the rest of the evening.    

Allan

Credits:

The Sibley Guide to Birds

Wikipedia

Link: *fecal sac

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fecal_sac

Vermilion Flycatcher, Tucson

A Vermillion Flycatcher is a joy to find.  You'll love this little, bright red bird.  He has it all…looks, 'birdsonality' and a good-looking girlfriend. 

He’s not shy or skulking like some other birds.  He proudly sits in the open with his red breast glowing in the sunshine, inviting you to come closer.  Close, yes, but not into his comfort zone.

Flycatchers catch flies.  It’s what they eat.  His modus operandi is called ‘hawking’ and he’s good at it. 

His eyesight is much better than mine because it’s difficult to see what he’s catching.  He doesn’t give-up easily when pursuing a darting, dodging insect and he doesn’t often come back empty-beaked either. Within seconds he's back on the same branch waiting for another tasty fly-by. 

Studies show Vermilion Flycatchers spend 90% of their day just waiting for flies to fly past.  That's a long time waiting, but actually, they're very active birds.  It only takes a few seconds to snag a snack in the air, so then he waits again. He expends a lot of energy just chasing his food.  How many calories are there in one tiny fly?  
I don’t know.

        The female Vermilion Flycatcher is equally good-looking.

She's zero point four ounces, smartly feathered, white throated and peachy breasted…they make a great pair.

  

If you have an opportunity to see a Vermilion Flycatcher up close, take it…they’re fun to watch…cheap entertainment and better than TV! 

Sadly, they barely cross the US, Mexico border in their northern range and spend the winters in South America.  You’ll have to make an effort to find one, but this little red bird is worth it.

Allan