A Vermilion Flycatcher at the Stock Pond

A female Vermilion Flycatcher hunted at the water’s edge

Male Vermilion Flycatchers are stunningly beautiful, and we did see one at the stock pond. It only stayed for a short while though, but the female continued to hunt over and over again at the water’s edge.

I’m not sure whether she was finding insects on the water or just above the water.

She must have been seeing good things to eat and I am sure she was successful.

Vermilion Flycatchers are ‘sit and wait’ hunters. They will sit on a perch while scanning for prey. In this case, she would sit on a rock at the water’s edge and then make a swift flight to catch the prey in the air. Unlike Hummingbirds, Vermilion Flycatchers can only hover briefly. They use fast wingbeats, maneuver their wings through the air, and use their tail as a rudder while keeping a steady eye on their prey.

It was interesting to watch her flutter over and over again in the same area of the pond.

Back on her favorite rock, she readied for another hunting flight.

She crouched down in order to propel her body and she raised her wings high for a strong downbeat......

...and then she launched into the air, her eyes focused as she rocketed towards her prey.

This hunt was successful and she headed towards a spot on the ground to enjoy and swallow her prey.

Once there, she immediately turned back to the water for the next hunt. Only weighing a half of an ounce, this little bird has a very high metabolism so needs to hunt constantly during the day.