Eastern Kingbird - Photos by Bruce Dayton - Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)

ORDER: Passeriformes
FAMILY: Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers - 38 Species)
SUB-FAMILY: Tyranninae
SPECIES: Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)

Eastern Kingbird
The Eastern Kingbird is highly aggressive toward any nest predators, they will protect their nest and attack much larger birds, such as hawks and crows.
SIZE	The Eastern Kingbird is a medium sized (7-9”) songbird of the Flycatcher family.
DESCRIPTION	Adults are grayish black on the head and upperparts with light underparts. It can be identified by its long black tail with white terminal band and long pointed wings. Sexes are similar in appearance.
NESTING	Clutch size ranges from 2-5 eggs, which are incubated in 14 to 17 days. The female makes a sturdy cup nest in a tree or shrub, sometimes on top of a stump or pole and does all the incubation chores.
RANGE	Eastern Kingbirds breed and are fairly common across most of the United States. Kingbirds migrate in flocks to winter in South America.
HABITAT	During migration, Eastern Kingbirds can be seen alone in just about any habitat including open woodlands, clearings, farms, orchards, edges of fields, streams, and suburbs.
DIET	Their diet consists mostly of insects, including beetles, flies, wasps, bees, and flying ants. They wait on an open perch and fly out to catch insects in flight. In their wintering areas, they also eat berries and fruit.

INTERESTING FACTS

Preening

Running the bill along a feather in order to maintain it in good order. Preening due to their barb structure repairs disarrayed feathers; preening also spreads oil over the plumage, secreted by the 'preen gland' situated just above the base of the tail. Constant preening is required if a bird is to keep its feathers in trim for efficient insulation and flight.

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The images on this web page are copyrighted © 2003 - 2007 by Bruce Dayton. I want to share my photos to promote conservation and to help people identify and learn about the birds and other creatures that live with us on the North American continent. Please do not use any of my work in any non-profit or for-profit project without first getting written permission from me. You can ask for permission by emailing me at webmaster@wildlifeofnorthamerica.info. All reproductions must bear an appropriate credit.




Eastern Kingbird

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Seneca County, New York


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Kingbird Drawing by Louis Agassiz Fuertes