Vermillion Flycatcher Gallery
Pyrocephalus rubinus
eBird gives this description for the Vermillion Flycatcher: Small, gorgeous flycatcher of open habitats. Adult males have brilliant red underparts and crown with dark brown upperparts and mask behind eye. Females and immature males are much duller, but usually show salmon color on belly. Most similar to Say’s Phoebe, but Vermilion’s breast is whitish and streaked. Found in many open and brushy areas including open woodland, especially riparian zones. Often seen perched on fence posts along roadsides. Feeds on insects. All About Birds offers this basic description of the Vermillion Flycatcher: A feathered ember in a desert landscape, the male Vermilion Flycatcher is exactly what its name says: a brilliant red bird that hawks flying insects from conspicuous perches on shrub tops and fences. Females are delightful in their own way, subtle gray-brown birds with a warm salmon-red blush to the underparts. Though they barely reach the southwestern U.S., this species is common all the way through Central America and much of South America. Watch for the male’s high, fluttering flight display and listen for his twittering display song.
I saw my first Vermillion Flycatcher shortly after I entered the grounds at Gage Gardens on the afternoon of Sunday, August 30, 2020. The vibrant colors of the bird caught my eye and I was fortunate enough to get some photos. What a beautiful bird!
“Cool Facts” about the Vermillion Flycatcher from All About Birds…
- The Vermilion Flycatcher’s genus name, Pyrocephalus, literally translates to “fire-headed.”
- There are 12 subspecies of Vermilion Flycatcher found from the southwestern U.S. all the way south to northern Chile. Some of the birds in the southernmost part of their range are ashy gray-brown overall, with only a few red feathers on the head.
- When male Vermilion Flycatchers court females, they bring gifts: often a butterfly or other flashy insect.
- Like many members of the Tyrannidae, or “tyrant flycatcher” family, Vermilion Flycatchers are prone to wander. There are records of this species way out of their normal range, as far afield as Minnesota, Maryland, and British Columbia.
- The oldest recorded Vermilion Flycatcher was a male at least 4 years, 6 months old when he was collected in Mexico, the same country where he had been banded.