Wordless Wednesday: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Two new visitors

"Chik-a-purrrreeer-chik" sang the bird in my oak tree this morning. No doubt about his identity! The White-eyed Vireo was back in town and announcing his presence, while hidden among the green leaves. Soon, I heard an answering call from a neighbor's yard, so it wasn't just my  vireo who had arrived. Evidently, he had brought his gang with him.

This afternoon, while driving south on S.H. 249 in Tomball, I looked up to see another familiar shape. The bird on the utility wire had a very long tail. No doubt about his identity either - the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher is here.

Vireos and Scissor-tails - it really must be spring!

Phriday Photo: Young Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

("This week in birds" will appear tomorrow.) 

The Scissor-tails are here!

Driving into Houston this afternoon, I discovered that another of our favorite migrants has arrived on the scene. Yes, the lovely Scissor-tailed Flycatchers are here!

This is not one of the birds that I saw today, but one seen in a previous year. Today I saw three of the beauties perched on a utility wire along the roadway, a common place for them to sit. It's where I often see them all during the long summer months.

It's quite likely that these birds have been in the area for a while, but these are the first ones that I've actually seen. It's always a thrill to see that first one each spring and to welcome them back. I'll make sure to report this first sighting of the year to eBird.