Most birds we are used to seeing on a regular basis all have medium sized tails. Long enough to help them in flight, but not so long that they get in the way. However there are birds out there with tails that are unusually or even impressively long. We take a look at 12 birds with long tails, and what they might use these impressive tails for.
12 Birds with long tails
1. Scissor-tailed flycatcher
- Scientific Name: Tyrannus forficatus
- Size: up to 15 inches
The Scissor-tailed flycatcher is a small North American bird with a very long tail. Both males and females have a gray head, dark wings, and pinkish-orange wash on their sides and a small black beak.
They can be found in Texas and some of the surrounding states during the summer, then they migrate to Central America for the winter. The Scissor-tailed flycatcher is distinguished by a long tail with a gap in the middle, giving the appearance of scissors.
The Scissor-tailed flycatcher’s long tail greatly helps in balance and allows it to twist and turn sharply and quickly while flying. These birds catch grasshoppers, beetles, crickets and other insects while in mid-flight, so their tail helps them keep up with the movements of their prey during the chase.
2. Greater Roadrunner
- Scientific Name: Geococcyx californianus
- Length: 20.5 – 21.3 inches
The greater roadrunner is a large, ground-dwelling bird native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. One of its notable features is its tail, which is longer than other birds and is usually held at an upward angle. In fact, their long tails help them maintain balance and “steer” like a rudder while running. Greater roadrunners live in arid deserts and scrublands, where these running birds chase down and eat large insects, frogs, scorpions, birds and small mammals.
They were given their name because they would rather run and walk than fly. These amazing animals can run up to 17 miles per hour and will begin running as soon as three weeks after hatching.
3. Long-tailed broadbill
