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