Midair Masters

MEET THE BIRDS NAMED FOR THEIR ABILITY TO CATCH INSECTS ON THE FLY

BY KENN AND KIMBERLY KAUFMAN

FLYCATCHING has a particular meaning in the world of birds: perching in one spot to watch for flying insects, swooping out to catch them in midair and then returning to the perch. And members of the flycatcher family are masters of this behavior. More than 400 species of flycatchers are found between Alaska and the southern tip of South America, most of them living deep in the tropics. North of the Mexican border, about 35 species are seen regularly. Bird-watchers sometimes have trouble identifying flycatchers because so many kinds look almost identical and are recognized mainly by their voices. When getting to know these birds, it helps to start by separating them into categories. Here’s a brief introduction to the main groups of flycatchers. The Bold Kingbirds These flycatchers are famed for their commanding…

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Birds & Blooms (Digital) - 1 Issue, August/September 2023

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