Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus), private residence near Miller Canyon Road and Highway 92, Hereford, AZ, Cochise County

This Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was discovered and photographed by Joe Woodley on 29 April 2009 sitting on an agave stalk in his yard near the intersection of Miller Canyon Road and Highway 92 in Hereford.

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher is a causal migrant and summer visitor to Arizona.  It has nested twice, once a pair was found nest building near Dudleyville and once in Camp Verde where one mated with Western Kingbird and produced hybrid young (see here).  There are only about a half a dozen records in the Huachuca Mountains area.

Adult Scissor-tailed Flycatcher shares its long tail only with Fork-tailed Flycatcher, which is very different in appearance, is very rare in North America generally and is unrecorded in Arizona. 

29 April 2009, photo by Joe Woodley