Latin Name and Etymology
Its former Latin name was Muscivora forficata. The former genus name, Muscivora, derives from the Latin word for "fly" (musca) and "to devour" (vorare), while the species name forficata derives from the Latin word for "scissors" (forfex). The scissortail now is considered to be a member of the Tyrannus, or "tyrant-like" genus. This genus earned its name because several of its species are extremely aggressive on their breeding territories, where they will attack larger birds such as crows, hawks and owls.
Read more about this topic: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Famous quotes containing the words latin and/or etymology:
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Adopted as a motto by U.S. patriot and orator James Otis (1725-1783)
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