My First Scissor-tailed Flycatcher of 2023

I saw my first Scissor-tailed Flycatcher of 2023 on April 8. That first sighting always feels like a sure sign of spring.

First Scissor-tailed Flycatcher of the Year

I found the bird at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. It was near the back of an open field with a few old cornstalks still standing.

The bird’s long tail made it easy to recognize, even from a distance. Its tail feathers form the scissor-like shape that gives the species its name.

Scissor-tailed Flycatchers favor open country. Fields, farmland, and prairies all provide the open space they use. This field at the refuge offered the right kind of habitat.

These birds catch insects in flight. Their long tails make them especially striking when they turn and change direction in the air. I photographed that aerial behavior during another encounter with a Hovering Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.

Photographing the Bird From My Pickup

I parked along the refuge’s auto tour road and watched the flycatcher from inside my pickup. At first, it remained too far away for the photograph I wanted.

Instead of trying to approach it, I stayed parked and waited. The bird eventually moved closer and landed on a brown cornstalk. That simple perch gave me a clear view.

I rested my camera and lens on a beanbag draped over the open window. The beanbag provided steady support while I photographed from inside the truck.

Photographing from my pickup also allowed me to remain in place while the bird moved through the field. Patience made the difference during this encounter. If I had moved too soon, I might have missed the closer opportunity.

A Welcome Spring Sighting in Oklahoma

Scissor-tailed Flycatchers spend the winter farther south in Mexico and Central America. Seeing one back in Oklahoma was a welcome sign of the changing season.

I enjoy watching for these birds each spring at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. Their long tails and open-country habits make them difficult to overlook.

This one gave me an even better welcome by moving closer and choosing a natural cornstalk perch. It was a great way to begin another season of photographing Scissor-tailed Flycatchers at the refuge.