Vermillion Flycatcher – Desert Meadow Park, AZ

At Desert Meadows Park in Green Valley Arizona, the Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) stands out with its brilliant red plumage. The vivid coloring contrasts against the muted tones of the desert landscape when they are not in a park setting. This small member of the tyrant flycatcher family is most often seen perched low. It sallies out to catch insects in midair before returning to the same spot. While many individuals are year-round residents in the southern U.S. and Mexico, northern populations shift southward during winter. This makes it a partial migrant across its range. Its closest North American relative is the Say’s Phoebe. That species has grayish-brown upper parts and cinnamon-colored underparts. The comparison underscores the Vermilion Flycatcher’s uniquely vibrant coloring. Click here if you are a great guide and are interested in showing our travelers interesting birds in AZ.