Oklahoma State Bird: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Fact-checked • Updated November 27, 2024
Oklahoma State Bird – Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Oklahoma designated the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher as the official state bird on May 26, 1951. Adults show a tail reaching about ten inches. Observers see them on utility lines across prairies. Males rise and twist in broad sky dances. Displays unfold above open fields in spring.
Why Oklahoma Chose This Bird
Lawmakers picked a bird that helped farmers. Grasshoppers and crickets made up most of the diet. Scissor-tailed Flycatchers caught hundreds of insects daily in agricultural fields. Lou Allard chaired the House Committee on Game and Fish and backed the proposal. Garden clubs and the Audubon Society both pushed for adoption.
Oklahoma sits at the center of this species' nesting range. No other state had claimed the bird in 1951. Geographic exclusivity helped the choice. School children started the campaign in the early 1940s. Support grew until the legislature acted nearly two decades later.
Identification proved easy. Anyone spotted the long forked tail from a distance. Perched birds opened and closed tail feathers like scissors. Striking appearance combined with pest control benefits appealed to both farmers and bird watchers. Aerial acrobatics added visual interest.
Legislative History
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The Path to Official Recognition
House Joint Resolution Number 21 started with Oklahoma school children. They gathered support from conservation groups throughout the state. The Audubon Society endorsed the choice. Garden clubs across Oklahoma joined the effort. Universities contributed ornithological expertise. Wildlife preservation societies added their backing. Lou Allard championed the measure in the House of Representatives.
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1951 Legislative Action
The legislature signed the resolution into law on May 26, 1951. That same measure established May 1st as Bird Day in Oklahoma. The law designated the species using its former scientific name, Muscivora forficata. Taxonomists later reclassified it as Tyrannus forficatus. The resolution emphasized the bird's economic value, striking appearance, and Oklahoma-centered range. No emergency clause appeared in standard legislative text, though the resolution declared emergency status.
What This Bird Represents
Agricultural Partnership
Ranchers and farmers saw flycatchers as allies. Each bird consumed hundreds of grasshoppers during summer months. Crickets disappeared when flycatchers hunted an area. Beetles and spiders added to their daily catch. You'd find them perched near crops, waiting for movement below. Oklahoma's agricultural economy benefited from natural pest suppression. The relationship between bird and farmer shaped public support for the designation.
Regional Identity
Oklahoma placed itself at the heart of this species' world. Breeding pairs returned each spring to the same general area. The state's open country with scattered trees provided ideal habitat. Fence lines and utility poles offered perfect hunting perches. No flashy tropical bird here—this was a working bird that fit Oklahoma's character. Residents took pride in a species that chose their landscape above others.
Physical Characteristics
Distinctive Tail Structure
Males measure up to 15 inches including the tail. Females grow about 30 percent shorter. That forked tail can reach 10 inches by itself. Watch how the bird opens those tail feathers during flight. The black feathers show white edges when spread. During perching, the tail closes tight. Juveniles sport much shorter tails until maturity. The tail serves as both rudder and brake during insect pursuit.
Plumage and Coloring
Pale gray covers the head and upper back. White spreads across the breast. Salmon-pink flanks stand out against the lighter body. Those pink patches extend to underwing coverts. Scarlet shoulder patches flash during flight. Wings show sooty black with dark primaries. The underside of the tail displays white against black top surfaces. Males show more intense coloration than their mates. Juvenile birds appear duller with yellowish tones where adults show salmon.
Size and Build
Adults weigh between 1.3 and 1.5 ounces. Wingspan measures 15 inches tip to tip. Body length runs 8.7 to 14.6 inches depending on tail development. Compare them to an American Robin for size reference. The build stays slender with a stout bill typical of flycatchers. Round heads support sharp black beaks designed for catching insects. Legs remain short since most time gets spent in the air or perched.
Behavior and Song
Hunting Technique
Flycatchers practice hawking—they launch from a perch to catch flying insects. Watch one sit motionless on a wire for minutes. Suddenly it darts out, grabs prey mid-air, and returns. The tail spreads wide during pursuit for quick turns. They also glean insects from vegetation when flying prey grows scarce. Ground foraging happens occasionally. Dragonflies, robber flies, and grasshoppers make up summer meals. Winter brings a shift to berries when insects disappear.
The Sky Dance Display
Males climb 100 feet into the air after arriving at breeding grounds. Then comes a series of V-shaped flights. The bird plunges in erratic zigzags, sometimes somersaulting. Rolling calls accompany the entire performance. That long tail follows every movement like a ribbon. Females watch from below. The display happens most frequently during spring and early summer. Roadside observers can catch the show on sunny mornings.
Vocalizations
Listen for sharp kee-kee-kee-kee calls repeated rapidly. A more nasal bik-err sound serves different purposes. Dry pik or kek notes punctuate territorial disputes. Buzzy chattering erupts during aggressive encounters. Dawn brings male songs—several pup calls followed by perleep notes. Bill-snapping adds percussive elements during fights. Wings produce high-pitched whirring at close range. The vocal repertoire stays relatively simple compared to songbirds.
Social Behavior
Pairs defend territories during breeding season. Males chase intruders with loud squeaky calls. After nesting ends, large flocks form for migration. Pre-migratory roosts can hold 1,000 birds. Males leave nest trees at evening to join communal roosts, returning at dawn. Winter flocks gather in trees where food concentrates. They tolerate human presence well, nesting near houses and farms.
Habitat and Range
Breeding Territory
Open country with scattered trees defines prime habitat. Savannahs and grasslands attract breeding pairs. Roadside fences provide hunting perches. Tree-lined farm roads offer nest sites. Isolated trees in prairie settings get frequent use. Towns and cities accommodate nesting pairs without conflict. The species expanded eastward over the past 50 years. Utility poles replaced natural perches in developed areas. Elevation stays below 5,000 feet during breeding.
Geographic Range
Breeding range centers on Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas. Western Louisiana, Arkansas, and Missouri host populations. Eastern New Mexico supports some pairs. Northeastern Mexico marks the southern breeding edge. Stray birds reach southern Canada during migration. Florida and Georgia record occasional sightings. Winter months find them in southern Mexico and Central America. Some remain in southern Texas year-round. Migration routes follow Texas corridors in both directions.
Seasonal Movements
Spring arrival happens in March and April. Breeding extends through August. September brings flock formation. Migration peaks in October. Winter range stretches from southern Mexico to Panama. Guatemala and Honduras provide non-breeding habitat. The southern half of Florida hosts wintering birds. Return migration begins in March. Males arrive at breeding grounds first. Females follow within two weeks.
Interesting Facts
Fact 1 of 8
Nests incorporate human materials—string, cloth, paper, carpet fuzz, and cigarette filters account for 30 percent of nest weight in urban areas.
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Songs & Calls
Hear the clear whistles and sharp calls of the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. These field recordings capture their distinctive voice in natural habitat.
Audio licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Sources & References
This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability. All information has been fact-checked and verified against official government records and scientific databases.
Historical documentation of House Joint Resolution Number 21 and legislative history of Oklahoma's state bird designation • Accessed: November 30, 2025
Comprehensive species guide covering identification, life history, behavior, and range maps • Accessed: November 30, 2025
Physical characteristics, habitat requirements, and conservation status information • Accessed: November 30, 2025
State-specific information about distribution, behavior, and ecological role in Oklahoma • Accessed: November 30, 2025
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