Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Table

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher – Accepted
1. 26 Jun 1915		Bouquet Canyon LA	1984-203	10	ph., MVZ 31346
2. 02 Oct 1937		Saugus LA	1985-082	10	see Philp (1938)
3. 01 Nov 1957	AHY	Ferndale HUM	1984-163	10	ph., CAS 60368
4. 03 May 1962		Furnace Creek Ranch INY	1986-252	11	ph., DVNP 10896
5. 22 Nov 1963	AHY	Solano Beach SD	1986-047	10	ph., SDNHM 30769
6. 22 Feb–03 Apr 1965		Tijuana R. valley SD	1986-114	11
7. 27 Apr 1966		Hopland MEN	1984-202	10	ph., MVZ 156692
8. 18 Aug–12 Sep 1967		Pt. Reyes MRN	1988-068	14	ph.
9. 21–23 Sep 1967		Tijuana R. valley SD	1986-118	11
10. 16 Oct 1968		Tijuana R. valley SD	1986-126	11
11. 06 Jun 1969		Eureka HUM	1986-355	14	ph.
12. 23 May 1970		Furnace Creek Ranch INY	1986-054	10	ph.
13. 18 Oct 1970		Colusa NWR COL	1986-052	10	ph.
14. 23 May 1971		Yucca Valley SBE	1987-076	14
15. 11–13 Oct 1971		Morongo Valley SBE	1986-460	14
16. 03–06 Nov 1971		Tijuana R. valley SD	1986-140	11
17. 28 May 1972		Morongo Valley SBE	1972-025	1
18. 18–19 May 1973	SY	Southeast Farallon I. SF	1987-202	14	ph.
19. 24 May 1974		Anacapa I. VEN	1984-054	9	ph.
20. 13 Jun 1974		Blythe RIV	1988-207	14	ph., ASU/BFS
21. 13 Sep–05 Oct 1974	AHY	Gazos Creek SM	1982-039	8
22. 17 Oct 1974		Tijuana R. valley SD	1984-059	9
23. 08–10 Nov 1974		San Elijo Lagoon SD	1984-060	9	ph., Roberson (1980)
24. 18 May–01 Jun 1975		Furnace Creek Ranch INY	1986-142	11
25. 23 May 1975		Santa Barbara I. SBA	1986-053	10	ph.
26. 04–08 Apr 1976		Ventura VEN	1986-280	14
27. 31 May 1977		Oasis MNO	1986-258	11
28. 27–30 May 1978		Pt. Lobos MTY	1984-105	9
29. 08 Jul 1978		vic. Clovis FRE	1986-320	12
30. 18 Jul 1978		Salt Creek SBE	1986-281	14
31. 26 Jul 1978		vic. Needles SBE	1984-082	9	ph.
32. 27 Oct 1978		Tijuana R. valley SD	1986-230	12
33. 26 May–16 Jul 1979		vic. Needles SBE	1986-145	11	nested with Western Kingbird
and 19 Apr–31 May 1983			1986-227	11	ph., nested with Western Kingbird
34. 06 Jan–03 Feb 1980		Prado Regional Park SBE	1986-239	11	ph., AB 34:307
35. 19–24 Jul 1980	AHY	Patricks Pt. HUM	1986-393	14	ph.
36. 27 Jul 1980		Bodega Bay SON	1981-017	7
37. 31 Aug–07 Sep 1981		Tecopa INY	1986-299	12	ph.
38. 03–10 May 1982		Pt. Piedras Blancas SLO	1982-065	8
39. 15 May 1983		Gorda MTY	1984-067	9
40. 28–30 May 1984		Furnace Creek Ranch INY	1984-098	9
41. 15–16 Jun 1984		Butte Valley SIS	1985-121	10	ph.
42. 01 Oct 1984		Pt. Loma SD	1984-243	12
43. 03–05 May 1985		Carmel Valley MTY	1985-091	10
44. 25–27 May 1985		Oasis MNO	1985-056	10	ph., Dunn (1988) with incorrect date
45. 29 May–08 Jun 1985		Pt. Reyes MRN	1985-054	10
46. 31 Jul 1985		Big Pine INY	1985-099	11
47. 06 Sep–13 Oct 1985	AHY	vic. Lompoc SBA	1985-170	11	ph., AB 40:160
48. 30 Sep 1985		Southeast Farallon I. SF	1986-185	11
49. 30 Oct–01 Nov 1985		Mad R. mouth HUM	1986-391	12	ph.
50. 05–06 May 1986		Smith R. bottoms DN	1986-285	11
51. 02 Jun 1986		San Clemente I. LA	1986-328	12
52. 13–17 Jun 1986		San Diego SD	1986-371	11	ph.
53. 10 Jul 1986		Goleta SBA	1986-467	12
54. 17 Aug–19 Oct 1986	AHY	Tijuana R. valley SD	1986-377	11	ph.
55. 30 Jan–21 Feb 1987		Pt. Reyes MRN	1987-074	12	ph., AB 41:211
56. 29 Aug 1987	AHY	Ramer Lake IMP	1987-280	13
57. 24 Oct 1987	AHY	Furnace Creek Ranch INY	1987-295	13
58. 27 May 1988		~10 mi. e Gasquet DN	1990-112	15
59. 21–22 Jul 1988	AHY	Moss Landing MTY	1988-157	13	ph., Roberson (2002)
60. 17–26 Aug 1988	AHY	vic. Edna Valley SLO	1988-158	13	ph.
61. 28 May–10 Jun 1989		Pt. Reyes MRN	1990-034	15
62. 04–06 Jun 1989		Gualala Pt. SON	1990-072	15	ph.
63. 07 Jun 1989		Torrance LA	1991-035	15,25	ph.
64. 06–07 Aug 1989		Crystal Cove State Park ORA	1990-103	15
65. 08 May 1990		Pt. Pinos MTY	1990-064	15	ph.
66. 29 Sep–13 Oct 1990		Big Pine INY	1990-157	16	ph.
67. 17 Mar–27 Apr 1991		Upper Newport Bay ORA	1991-070	16	ph.
68. 23 May 1991		Furnace Creek Ranch INY	1991-099	16	ph.
69. 25–29 Jun 1991		Lake Cuyamaca SD	1991-089	16
70. 07 Jul 1991		vic. Lakeview RIV	1992-072	17
71. 21–22 Sep 1991	AHY	Furnace Creek Ranch INY	1991-116	17
72. 14 Oct–12 Nov 1991	AHY	San Joaquin Marsh ORA	1991-205	17	Fig. 357, ph.
73. 25 Oct–02 Nov 1991	AHY	Salinas MTY	1991-179	17	ph.
74. 17–25 Mar 1992		Laguna Beach ORA	1993-037	18
75. 12 May 1992		Smith R. bottoms DN	1993-060	18	ph.
76. 18 May 1992	SY &	Harper Dry Lake SBE	1995-038	20	ph., SBCM 53745
77. 23 May 1992		Cactus City Rest Area RIV	1992-217	18
78. 24 May 1992		Furnace Creek Ranch INY	1992-136	18	ph.
79. 28–30 Jun 1992		Olema MRN	1992-228	18	Fig. 244, ph.
80. 07 Aug 1992		China Lake KER	1993-020	18
81. 06 Sep 1992		Cerro Noroeste KER	1993-021	18
82. 15–20 Oct 1992		Pt. Sur MTY	1992-273	18
83. 04 Dec 1992		Del Mar SD	1993-076	18
and 27–28 Mar 1993		San Elijo Lagoon SD	1993-112	19
84. 06 Dec 1992–09 Jan 1993	HY	El Monte LA	1993-048	18
85. 11 Dec 1992–05 Mar 1993	HY	Goleta SBA	1993-008	18	Fig. 356, ph., AB 47:301, Small (1994:plate 55)
86. 11–30 Mar 1993		Prado Basin RIV	1993-059	19	ph.
87. 30 May 1993		Panamint Springs INY	1993-092	19	ph.
88. 08 Jun 1993		Owens Lake INY	1993-113	19	ph.
89. 09 Jun 1993	ASY	San Nicolas I. VEN	1993-145	19
90. 25 Sep–24 Oct 1993	AHY	Nicasio MRN	1993-154	19	ph., AB 48:150
91. 04–17 Jan 1994		Lake Hodges SD	1994-048	20
92. 28 May 1994		vic. Oasis MNO	1994-117	20
93. 28 May 1994		Santa Clara R. mouth VEN	1994-205	20
94. 26 May 1995		Little R. mouth HUM	1995-072	21
95. 27–31 May 1995	SY	Pt. Loma SD	1995-078	21
96. 23–27 Oct 1995		Carbon Canyon ORA	1997-173	22	video
97. 27–28 Apr 1996	ASY	Zuma Canyon LA	1996-098	22	ph.
98. 05 Sep 1996		Moss Beach SM	1997-054	22
99. 17 Jan–23 Feb 1997	ASY	Long Beach LA	1997-062	23	ph.
100. 29 Apr 1997		San Clemente I. LA	1997-080	23
101. 13 Dec 1997–03 Jan 1998	HY	Murrieta RIV	1997-200	23	ph., video
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher – Not accepted, identification not established
03 Jan 1947		La Mirada LA	1985-081	14
24 Oct 1948		Indio RIV	1985-080	14
26 Jul 1969		Imperial Valley IMP	1990-048	14
20+ Jul 1971		Pt. Reyes MRN	1986-342	14	“remained several days” (AB 25:903)
10–11 Oct 1976		Arcata bottoms HUM	1992-117	15
03 May 1981		Lafayette CC	1986-354	12
late May 1981		vic. Big Sur MTY	1984-056	9
30 Jun 1985		Goleta SBA	1991-018	17
02 Jan 1988		vic. Linden SJ	1988-151	13
28 Jun 1989		Mono Lake MNO	1990-071	15
25 May 1990		Afton Canyon SBE	1990-097	16
10 Jun 1991		Pt. Buchon SLO	1991-093	17
10–11 Oct 1992		Tijuana R. valley SD	1993-057	21
24 Jun 1995		Vidal Wash SBE	1995-067	22
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher – Not submitted
24 Nov 1933		La Jolla SD		14	Unitt (2004)
28 Nov–05 Dec 1934		Cayucos SLO		14	Grinnell & Miller (1944), Marantz (1986)
? Apr 1946		La Mirada LA			Hall (1947)
? Apr 1947		Anaheim ORA		14	Hamilton & Willick (1996)
11 Dec 1947–early Feb 1948		La Mirada LA			AFN 2:150
20 Jun 1949		Playa del Rey LA		14	AFN 3:252
18 Nov 1955		Santa Cruz SCZ		14	McCaskie & DeBenedictis (1966)
24 Jun 1956		El Cerrito CC		14	McCaskie & DeBenedictis (1966)
12 Dec 1956		El Monte LA		14	Long (1993), Roberson (1993)
24 Nov 1963		Santa Barbara SBA			Lehman (1994)
07 May 1969		Trinidad HUM		14	Yocom & Harris (1975)
26 Mar 1974		Calexico IMP		14	Garrett & Dunn (1981)
24 May 1974		Furnace Creek Ranch INY		14	AB 28:853
02 Jun 1974		Bolinas MRN		14	AB 29:1033
13–18 Jun 1975		Gualala Pt. SON			Parmeter (2000)
23 Jul 1975		El Monte LA		14	Long (1993)
30–31 Jan 1976		Chiriaco Summit RIV		14	AB 30:768
? Jul 1976		Dos Palmas Springs RIV		14	Garrett & Dunn (1981)
03–08 Oct 1977		Palo Verde IMP		14	AB 32:259
04 Jun 1978		Westgard Pass INY		14	AB 32:1056
07 Aug 1980		Pt. Reyes MRN		14	AB 35:222
01 May 1982		Smith R. bottoms DN		14	AB 36:891
01 Jun 1982		Pt. Reyes MRN			AB 36:1013
06 Jun 1982		Tomales Bay MRN			AB 36:1013
28 May 1983		Moss Beach SM		14	AB 37:1025
07 Jun 1983		Woodside SM		14	AB 37:1025
06 Aug 1983		Pt. Reyes MRN		14	AB 38:243
24 Apr 1992		Arcata bottoms HUM			Harris (2006)
28 Aug–07 Sep 1992		Pt. Arena MEN			AB 47:146
01 Nov 1993		Tijuana R. valley SD			AB 48:153
26–29 Jun 1995		Ft. Bragg MEN			FN 49:978
29 Jun 1995		Ft. Bragg MEN			FN 49:978
28–30 May 1996		China Lake KER			FN 50:333
18 Nov 1996		Tijuana R. valley SD			FN 51:121

Figures

Figure 244. California has hosted Scissor-tailed Flycatchers in each of the 12 months, but the species occurs most regularly in late May and early June. This sketch of a bird at Olema, Marin County, was made on 30 June 1992, at the end of the bird’s three-day visit (1992-228; Keith Hansen).

Figure 354. Distribution of 101 Scissor-tailed Flycatchers accepted through 1997 (the end of the CBRC review period). As with the temporal distribution shown above, the geographic distribution of records depicted at left is probably the most uniform across California of any species addressed in this book. The species does remain casual in interior northern California.

Figure 355 (above). Seasonal occurrence of the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in California through 1997 (the end of the CBRC review period). This species occurs throughout the year, with a major peak in late May/early June and a minor one in October.

Figure 356. The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher is a flashy and unpredictable vagrant to California. This first-winter female, present from 11 December 1992 to 5 March 1993 in Goleta, Santa Barbara County, was photographed on 5 January (1993-008; Don DesJardin).

Figure 357. This adult male Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was seen from 14 October to 12 November 1991 at San Joaquin Marsh in Irvine, Orange County, and was photographed there on 21 October (1991-205; James R. Gallagher).

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER Tyrannus forficatus (Gmelin, 1789)

Accepted: 101 (88%)	Treated in Appendix H: no
Not accepted: 14	CBRC review: records through 1997¹
Not submitted/reviewed: 34	Large color image: see Figures

This eye-catching flycatcher occupies somewhat limited breeding grounds from eastern New Mexico east to western Louisiana and from northern Kansas south to northern Tamaulipas. A pair attempted nesting in southeastern Arizona, and an increasing number of isolated breeding pairs have recently been found east to Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia. The species winters in central and southern Florida, rarely in southern Texas, and from southern Mexico south to central Costa Rica, rarely to western Panama. Extralimital occurrences are scattered across North and Middle America, including many from southern Canada, several from the Baja California Peninsula, and multiple records from the West Indies. The most northerly records are from southeastern Alaska, central Yukon (Sinclair et al. 2003), northern British Columbia, northern Manitoba, and Newfoundland.

California’s first Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was a male collected on 26 June 1915 at Bouquet Canyon in Los Angeles County (Swarth 1915). By 1997, when this species was removed from the review list, the Committee had endorsed 101 records, most of them from along the coast and from the southeastern deserts (Figure 354). Since 1965, about three of these birds have been found in a typical year, with a remarkable spurt of 12 documented in 1992. Records are scattered through the year, with distinct spring and fall peaks (Figure 355). The interval between mid May and mid June accounts for a third of the accepted records (32 of 101).

In 1979 and 1983, a female Scissor-tailed Flycatcher paired with a male Western Kingbird near Needles, San Bernardino County (Bevier 1990, Rosenberg et al. 1991). The nest, which contained five eggs, appeared to be abandoned in early June 1979, and a second was constructed later that month (AB 33:806, 897-898). On 31 May 1983 the female was seen sitting on a nest, contents unknown (AB 37:913). Another nesting attempt by an apparent female Scissor-tailed Flycatcher presumed to be paired with a male Western Kingbird (outcome unknown) was documented from 14 May to 9 July 2000 near South Belridge in western Kern County (Wilson 2004). This hybrid combination has been reported elsewhere (e.g., Davis and Webster 1970, Tyler and Parkes 1992, Dexter 1995), and during late fall 2003 an apparent Scissor-tailed Flycatcher × Couch’s Kingbird was photographed in upstate New York (NAB 58:44,171, 207).

¹Off the review list 1974–1980