---
title: "Fork-tailed Flycatcher"
description: "Tyrannus savana — Birds. The fork-tailed flycatcher (Tyrannus savana) is a passerine bird of the tyrant flycatcher family and is a member of a genus typically referred to as kingbirds."
canonical: https://animalchecklist.com/animal/fork-tailed-flycatcher
last_updated: 2026-09-20
---

# Fork-tailed Flycatcher

> Tyrannus savana — Birds. The fork-tailed flycatcher (Tyrannus savana) is a passerine bird of the tyrant flycatcher family and is a member of a genus typically referred to as kingbirds.

- Scientific name: *Tyrannus savana*
- Category: `birds` (Birds)
- Habitats: `grassland` (Fields & meadows), `savanna` (Savanna)
- iNaturalist observations: 13641
- Wikidata: [Q1078611](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1078611)
- iNaturalist taxon: [16793](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/16793)

## Names

- en: Fork-tailed Flycatcher
- de: Gabeltyrann
- es: Tirano Tijereta Gris
- fr: Tyran des savanes
- nl: Vorkstaartkoningstiran
- pl: Tyran widłosterny

## Countries with the most observations

AR (5120), BR (3371), CO (1411), MX (671), PA (586), US (502), UY (414), BZ (171), BO (131), CR (119), HN (101), TT (81)

## Summary

The fork-tailed flycatcher (Tyrannus savana) is a passerine bird of the tyrant flycatcher family and is a member of a genus typically referred to as kingbirds. Named for the long, forked tail, particularly in males, fork-tailed flycatchers are seen in shrubland, savanna, lightly forested and grassland areas, from southern Mexico to Argentina. They are frequently observed on conspicuous perches whence they sally after insect prey. Northern populations near southern Mexico tend to be permanent residents, while fork-tailed flycatchers that live further south are migrants with a reputation for wandering as far north as…

Text: Wikipedia (en), CC BY-SA 4.0 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fork-tailed_flycatcher

## Photo

![Fork-tailed Flycatcher](https://animalchecklist.com/img/animals/fork-tailed-flycatcher/medium.jpg)

Photo: Adam Jackson · CC0 · inaturalist — https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/193332703

## Machine access

`GET https://animalchecklist.com/api/v1/animals/fork-tailed-flycatcher?lang=en` — see [openapi.json](https://animalchecklist.com/openapi.json).