A Flash of Yellow in the Canopy

Spring migration through South Texas brings surprises, and this Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) was one of the first birds to greet me during my late April visit to the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas.

Measuring 7.9–8.7 inches (20–22 cm) in length with a wingspan of 13–15 inches (33–38 cm), this is a large, assertive flycatcher. In Texas, it passes through northbound from roughly early March to mid-June, with peak movement from late March through mid-May. It does not stay year-round — it winters mainly from Mexico to Colombia.

This was a very friendly and cooperative flycatcher. It even turned around to let me see that distinctive signature lemon-yellow belly and gray breast. One unforgettable trait of the Great Crested Flycatcher is weaving shed snakeskin into its nest lining — and where snakeskin is plentiful, nearly every nest contains it. Whether to deter predators or simply attract the eye, it’s a habit as bold as the bird itself.

That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring Bird of the Week, Great Crested Flycatcher, Mission, National Butterfly Center, Parks, Texas, Wildlife. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.

Posted for I.J. Khanewala’s Birds of the Week Invitation CLVXVIII.

Sources:

• Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds: allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Crested_Flycatcher 
• Audubon Society Field Guide: audubon.org/field-guide/bird/great-crested-flycatcher 
• Texas Breeding Bird Atlas, Texas A&M University: txtbba.tamu.edu/species-accounts/great-crested-flycatcher 
• Wikipedia — Great Crested Flycatcher: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_crested_flycatcher