A medium flycatcher with yellow belly, gray head, and red crown patch (rarely visible). Bold defender of nest sites.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The western kingbird is a large tyrant flycatcher found throughout western North America, as far south as Mexico.
Source: Wikipedia — Western kingbird Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Gray head and breast, blackish tail with white outer edges, and a lemon-yellow belly. A concealed red crown patch is rarely seen.
Similar species. Cassin's Kingbird is darker-breasted with a white-tipped (not white-edged) tail; Scissor-tailed has a long tail. The white tail edges separate Western from Cassin's.
Voice. Sharp, bickering 'kit' notes and a sputtering, squeaky dawn song.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Flying insects caught on the wing.
Behavior. A bold, conspicuous flycatcher of open western country; perches on wires and fences, sallies for insects, and fearlessly chases hawks and crows from its territory.
§ Range
Western US in summer
§ Habitat
Open habitats with scattered trees: prairies, fields, roadsides
§ Threats
Pesticide drift, habitat loss, vehicle strikes.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the western kingbird is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Maintain open western habitats. Skip pesticides.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Western kingbird
- www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Tyrannus verticalis
- IUCN Red List — search for Tyrannus verticalis
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Tyrannus verticalis
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds
- National Audubon Society
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List
