Oklahoma State Bird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Official Oklahoma State Bird: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Family: Tyrannidae, Tyrant Flycatcher
Scientific Name: Tyrannus forficatus
Length: 13" (33 cm)
Diet: Insects, berries
Voice: Listen to Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Calls (recorded by Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
Song lower pitched and flatter than Western Kingbird, with slightly different pattern pidik pek pik pik pidEEK. Dawn song pup pup pup pup pup perek. Common call a relatively low, flat pik; lower than Western Kingbird. Also pik-prrr or kopik or higher, sharper kid.
Habitat: Semi-open country, ranches, farms, roadsides.
Displays: Male performs dramatic up-down and zigzag courtship flight, with cackling-snapping call; may end with reverse somersaults. Flowing tail well displayed.
Number of broods: 1
Nest: Usually on horizontal limb, occasionally in fork or crotch, low in tree or shrub, also on human-built structure; roughly built of twigs, rootlets, weed stems, moss, plant down, occasionally feathers, hair. Built in 2-4 days.
Eggs: Averages 3-5 white, creamy, pinkish eggs, lightly mottled with red, brown, gray, olive. 0.9" (23 mm).
Incubation period: 14-17 days
Fledge: 14-16 days after hatching
Longevity Record: No data available according to USGS Bird Banding Lab.

The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher became the Oklahoma State Bird under House Joint Resolution Number 21, signed into law on May 26, 1951. Despite a failed first attempt to make the bird the official symbol, the scissor-tail was eventually chosen for its diet of harmful insects, its Oklahoma-centered nesting range, and by the fortunate circumstance that no other state had designated it.

The successful push for the Scissor-tail Flycatcher to be the State Bird by the state's Audubon Society, garden clubs, and other wildlife supporters culminated with the backing of Lou Allard, chairman of the House of Representatives' Committee on Game and Fish. The scissor-tail defeated other contenders for the title, notably the bobwhite (quail), which had won a 1932 State Federation of Women's Clubs-sponsored contest.

Oklahoma State Bird Books