Family: Tyrannidae, Tyrant Flycatchers view all from this family

Description 6" (15 cm). Male has brilliant scarlet crown and underparts, with dark brown back, wings, and tail; female similar to male above but white below with dark streaks. Belly of females and immatures varies from pink to yellow to white.

Habitat Trees and shrubs along rivers and roadsides.

Nesting 3 creamy-white eggs, with dark brown spots, in a well-made nest of fibers, feathers, and spider web lined with bits of lichen, placed on a horizontal branch.

Range Breeds from southeastern California east to western Texas and south into tropics. Winters in southern part of breeding range, but wanders as far east as Gulf Coast.

Voice   Call is peet-peet or peet-a-weet. Also has a soft, tinkling flight song.

Discussion This species is unusual among flycatchers in that the sexes are differently colored. In southern Texas, it is conspicuous and tame, often nesting near houses and farmyards. The bright colors of the male have earned it the Mexican name brasita de fuego, "little coal of fire." Despite its brilliant color, the Vermilion Flycatcher is hard to detect in cottonwoods, willows, or mesquite, since it hunts from the highest canopy and generally remains well concealed. In sparsely vegetated areas, however, it may descend to the ground after insect prey. The male defends his territory with a prominent aerial display; he flies up singing, his red underparts and cap contrasting with the blue sky. When trying to attract a female he sings even at night.