Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Material on this page was provided by Paul Smith, Fredí Ramírez, Arne Lesterhuis and Marcelo Bombaci and is used with their permission.
FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER Tyrannus savana
To Paraguayans he´s the "Tijereta" (scissor bird) and when he flies with his tail opening and closing he does indeed look like an airborne pair of scissors. The Fork-tailed Flycatcher is a migrant, he passes the winter in northern South America and arrives in Paraguay with the first days of spring to commence breeding activity. Displaying males are often seen in October and November, flying low with fluttery wings and the glorious tail trailing behind, uttering a croaking chatter that doesn´t quite fit with the majesty of the rest of the display.
Click on the images to enlarge them.
FIGURE 1 - (FPAVE1303PH) Adult ventral view, Encarnación Fería Municipal, Departamento Itapúa (Paul Smith October 2006).
FIGURE 2 - (FPAVE1304PH) Adult dorsal view, Estancia Kanguery, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith November 2007).
FIGURE 3 - (FPAVE1305PH) Adult lateral view, Laguna Capitán, Cuenca Upper Yacaré Sur (Marcelo Bombaci October 2007).
FIGURE 4 - (FPAVE1306PH) Displaying adults, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Fredi Ramírez October 2007).
FIGURE 5 - (FPAVE1307PH) Adult, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith December 2006).
FIGURE 6 - (FPAVE1308PH) Same individual as (FPAVE1307PH) head detail (Paul Smith December 2006).
FIGURE 7 - (FPAVE1309PH) Same individual as (FPAVE1307PH) upperwing (Paul Smith December 2006).
FIGURE 8 - (FPAVE1310PH) Same individual as (FPAVE1307PH) underwing (Paul Smith December 2006).
FIGURE 9 - (FPAVE1311PH) Nest with chicks, Bahía de Asunción, Departamento Central (Arne Lesterhuis November 2004).
VIDEO A - (FPAVE1312VI) Adult calling, Itabó Itaipú Reserve, Departamento Alto Paraná (Paul Smith September 2006).
VIDEO B - (FPAVE1313VI) Pair, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith September 2010).
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