Vermilion Flycatcher (6 images)

This brilliant red songbird is commonly found perching on post, wires, fences, or branches. It is a small passerine in the "tyrant" family. Most tyrants are plain (hues of brown, gray and white), with the vermilion flycatcher being an obvious exception. Like many species, the male's coloration is much more brilliant than the female's. It can also be identified by its long tail feathers and dark mask behind the eye. Its name is comes from its ability to catch insects in mid-air.

The vermilion flycatcher likely evolved 1.15 million years ago on the Galápagos Islands. Common in the southwest, this solitary species measures just 5 to 5.5 inches, from beak to tail.

The Says Phoebe, below, is an example of the much more plain passerines.