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Birds with Long Tails

Sam Crowe
Updated: April 26, 2023
6THINGS
Birds With Long Tails

Did you see a bird with long tail? Why do some birds have especially long tails?

Birds have long tails for several reasons, including balance, steering and communication.

Long tails help birds maintain balance while in flight, and provide them with the ability to make quick turns and adjustments.

Tails are also used for display and communication, serving as a visual indicator of a bird’s health and social status, and as a means of attracting a mate. In some species, long tails can also serve as a means of deterring predators or intimidating rivals.

Here are six of our favorite birds with long tails.

 

6. Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher

Male scissor-tailed flycatcher in flight showing the underside of the wings.

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. Photograph © Greg Lavaty.

The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher is state bird of Oklahoma. A bird species found in the central and southern United States, Mexico, and Central America. It is named for its distinctive, elongated tail, which can reach up to 9 inches in length. The tail is comprised of two elongated central feathers that are stiff and have a distinctive, scissor-like appearance.

In addition to its long tail, the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher is also known for its bright plumage, with a gray head and neck, a white underbelly, and a rosy-pink wash on its back and wings. The bird feeds on insects and small invertebrates, which it catches while in flight.

The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher’s long tail plays a role in its flight, helping it to maintain balance and stability as it moves through the air. The long tail feathers can also be used in courtship displays to attract a mate, as well as to intimidate other birds and deter potential predators.

5. Long-tailed Duck

long-tailed duck, male in breeding plumage sitting on the water

Long-tailed Duck. Photograph © Alan Wilson.

The Long-tailed Duck, also known as the Oldsquaw, is a species of sea duck found in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of North America and Eurasia. It is named for its distinctive long tail, which can reach up to 6 inches in length.

The Long-tailed Duck has a black head, white neck, and a dark back and wings, with a distinctive white patch on the sides of its face. In breeding plumage, male Long-tailed Ducks have a distinctive crest on their head, as well as white feathers on their breast and sides.

The Long-tailed Duck is a diving bird that feeds on mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish, which it captures by diving underwater. The bird’s long tail helps it to steer and maneuver as it dives and swims in the water. The tail is also used in courtship displays, with the male raising and fanning his tail feathers to attract a mate.

4. Long-tailed Jaeger

long-tailed jaeger in breeding plumage, sitting on the nest.

Long-tailed Jaeger.  Photograph © Alan Wilson

The Long-tailed Jaeger is a seabird species that belongs to the family of gulls and terns. It is named for its distinctive long tail, which can reach up to 10 inches in length. The Long-tailed Jaeger is a highly agile bird that is capable of hovering and diving, making it well adapted to a life at sea.

The Long-tailed Jaeger is a migratory bird that breeds in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of North America and Eurasia, and wintering in the Southern Ocean and the North Pacific. It has a distinctive appearance, with a dark back, a white underbelly, and a long, slender tail.

3. Magnificent Frigatebird

Magnificent Frigatebird in flight, showing the underside of the wings.

Magnificent Frigatebird. Photograph © Greg Lavaty

The Magnificent Frigatebird is a large seabird species that belongs to the family of pelicans and gannets. It is named for its distinctive, elongated tail, which can reach up to 12 inches in length. The Magnificent Frigatebird is a graceful flier that is capable of soaring for long periods of time without flapping its wings.

The Magnificent Frigatebird has a distinctive appearance, with a long, slender body, a long, narrow wingspan, and a long, forked tail. The bird is found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.

2. Greater Roadrunner

Greater Roadrunner with long tail in a cocked up position.

Greater Roadrunner. Photograph © Alan Wilson

The Greater Roadrunner is a large bird species that belongs to the cuckoo family and is native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. It is named for its habit of running, rather than flying, and is known for its distinctive, long tail, which can reach up to 12 inches in length.

The Greater Roadrunner has a distinctive appearance, with a long, slender body, a long, narrow tail, and distinctive crest on its head. The bird is a ground-dwelling species that feeds on a variety of prey, including insects, small reptiles, and small mammals.

1. Black-billed Magpie

Black-billed Magpie sitting on a branch, side view.

Black-billed Magpie. Photograph © Alan Wilson

The Black-billed Magpie is a large bird species belonging to the crow family and is native to western North America. It is known for its distinctive, long tail, which can reach up to 12 inches in length.

The Black-billed Magpie has a distinctive appearance, with a glossy black head, neck, and tail, and white underbelly. The bird is highly social and is often seen in flocks, foraging for food on the ground.

Do you know some bird with long tail that’s not on this list? Let us know in the comments.

About the Author

Sam Crowe
Sam is the founder of Birdzilla.com. He has been birding for over 30 years and has a world list of over 2000 species. He has served as treasurer of the Texas Ornithological Society, Sanctuary Chair of Dallas Audubon, Editor of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's "All About Birds" web site and as a contributing editor for Birding Business magazine. Many of his photographs and videos can be found on the site.

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