Midair Masters

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

- KENN, 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 behavior, fearlessly attacking much larger birds that get too close to their nests-crows, hawks and even eagles.

The eastern kingbird is widespread in summer over the eastern two-thirds of North America, often perching on fences or roadside wires. You may notice it first by its buzzy, sputtering cries as it flies overhead, chasing away some big bird and flashing the broad white band at the tip of its tail. During summer in the Great Plains, the eastern kingbird overlaps with the western kingbird, which has similar habits but different colors, including a bright yellow belly.

Five other kingbirds are found in Florida, parts of the West and near the Mexican border. And a relative of kingbirds, the spectacular scissortailed flycatcher, is seen from Texas up to Nebraska, east to Missouri and south to Louisiana. In addition, it represents Oklahoma as the state bird.

The Gentle Phoebes