A bold black-and-white flycatcher with an attitude — kingbirds will attack much larger hawks, crows, and even humans to defend their nesting territory.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The eastern kingbird is a large tyrant flycatcher native to the Americas. The bird is predominantly dark gray with white underbelly and pointed wings. Eastern kingbirds are conspicuous and are commonly found in open areas with scattered trees and bushes, where they perch while foraging for insects. The Eastern kingbird is migratory, with its breeding range spread across North America and its wintering range in Central and South America.
Source: Wikipedia — Eastern kingbird Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Black-and-white flycatcher with distinctive long tail (proportionally longer than body).
Similar species. Western Kingbird (yellow belly). Phoebe (smaller, no tail flicking).
Voice. Sharp chittering calls.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Insects, fruits, occasional small vertebrates.
Behavior. Bold flycatcher. Attacks raptors and crows. Builds elaborate pendant nests.
§ Range
Across the US and southern Canada in summer; winters in South America
§ Habitat
Open habitats with scattered trees: pastures, orchards, hedgerows, roadsides
§ Threats
Loss of edge habitat, pesticide drift, declining tropical wintering forests.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the eastern kingbird is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Maintain hedgerows along fields. Leave pasture corners brushy. Support tropical forest conservation.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Eastern kingbird
- www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Tyrannus tyrannus
- IUCN Red List · taxon 22699995
- iNaturalist · taxon 5163
- eBird · easkin
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Tyrannus tyrannus
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab — All About Birds
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List 2018
