Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher

The scissor-tailed flycatcher is inarguably our most flamboyant kingbird -- a long tail like that of a bird of paradise; peach flanks and crimson "wingpits". Its range in the US is restricted -- centered around Texas and adjoining states (esp. Oklahoma) but in the winter it can be seen as far away as Southwest Florida.

This handsome flycatcher was seen in October at the Attwater Prairie Chicken Sanctuary in Texas. The namesake of the sanctuary (a grouse) is in steep decline and was not seen.

What was seen instead, however, was an American Bittern who fooled no one except itself into believing it was invisible.

Despite poor weather conditions [and probably the "wrong" season for watching lekking grouse], a nevertheless fruitful breeze-through with several good sightings of the "Texas bird of paradise".