Amado Territory Ranch Inn
P.O.    Box 6336 3001 E. Frontage Road, Amado, AZ 85645
 Toll Free: (888) 398-8684       Local: (520) 398-8684
Fax: (520) 398-8186   To email us, click here.
www.AmadoTerritoryInn.com

 

The Vermillion Flycatcher
Birding in Southern Arizona

A glimpse of brilliant red flitting from tree to tree in the southwest Unites States, Central America and parts of South America is likely to be a male Vermillion Flycatcher.

The Vermillion Flycatcher is about 7 inches in length, the males having bright red head and underparts offset by dark brown feathers and the females having a peach-colored belly with a dark grey upperside. They feed on insects, flies, grasshoppers and beetles, usually snatching them in mid-flight. They love riparian and scrub areas. Nests are made out of twigs, stems and roots and lined with hair. They lay 2-3 eggs which are incubated for about two weeks by the female. The young leave the nest after just fifteen days after hatching. The monogamous couple will usually have two broods a year.

One of the most interesting behaviors of this beautiful bird occurs during the mating season. As if to match his own beautiful color,  the male will seek out brightly hued insects like butterflies to present to the female.

For a list of other birds you can see on or near the ranch, please click here.