By: Nicole Danbury INTRODUCTION
Hello Desert Explorers! I would like to introduce you to my little fiesty friend, the Brown-Crested Flycatcher! He likes to perch up high so he can watch everything that goes on around him. My voice has a little "whit" to it and I normally sing my whits and pips in a series of three. 
WHO AM I?
Hi there! I am a feisty type of bird that likes to perch in high spots so I can have a great view of my surroundings. I have a HUGE family! There are more than 400 known species in my Tyrant family giving us the honor of the largest bird family on Earth. My voice and colors are really what distinguishes me from the rest of the crazy bunch.WHERE DO I LIVE?
I live in the Southwest region of the United States! I especially like the states of Texas, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona and California. I prefer making my nest in trees or in the tall saguaro cactus. Both of these places provide my nest with protection from my predators and give me a "bird's eye" view of the world below! WHAT DO I EAT?
I'm not a very picky eater! I eat all kinds of insects, berries and fruit.  I have a pale grey throat and yellow underparts. My body is 8-9 inches long from beak to tail. So I'm about the same length as your elbow to fingertips! HOW DO I REPRODUCE? I lay 2-3 purple and cream colored eggs during my mating season. The female birds lay on the eggs for 2 weeks straight and once the babies are hatched, both parents share the feeding duties until the little ones are ready to leave our nest.
FUN FACT ABOUT ME?
Want to learn something cool about me? If you want to invite me to your house, plant a butterfly garden! Butterflies are one of my favorite snacks! ACTIVITY
Today, let's start our activity by reading the "Cactus Hotel" by Brenda Guiberson. This story tells the exciting life cycle of the saguaro cactus and the extensive web of life that characterizes the Sonoran Desert, which includes the Brown-Crested Flycatcher. Now that we know a little more about the saguaro cactus and how it provides a home to desert critters, let's create one out of construction paper to go along with what we're going to do next! Be sure to leave some holes in the cactus for the flycatcher's home! On an 8 by 14 sheet of paper, draw a desert scene and the Brown-Crested Flycatcher, glue on your cactus and write a little story that includes 3 facts you learned about the Brown-Crested Flycatcher from this page.
WHERE DID YOU FIND INFORMATION ABOUT ME?
Information:
National Geographic: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birding/brown-crested-flycatcher/
Photo Credits:
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