Western Kingbird

Taxobox
name = Western Kingbird
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1


image_width = 250px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Passeriformes
familia = Tyrannidae
genus = "Tyrannus"
species = "T. verticalis"
binomial = "Tyrannus verticalis"
binomial_authority = Say, 1823The Western Kingbird ("Tyrannus verticalis") is a large tyrant flycatcher.

Adults are grey-olive on the upperparts with a grey head and a dark line through the eyes; the underparts are light becoming light orange-yellow on the lower breast and belly. They have a long black tail with white outer feathers.

Their breeding habitat is open areas in western North America. They make a sturdy cup nest in a tree or shrub, sometimes on top of a pole or other man-made structure. The name "kingbird" is derived from their "take-charge" behavior. These birds aggressively defend their territory, even against much larger birds such as hawks.

These birds migrate in flocks to Florida and the Pacific coast of southern Mexico and Central America.

They wait on an open perch and fly out to catch insects in flight, sometimes hovering and then dropping to catch food on the ground. They also eat berries.

The song is a squeaky chatter. The call is a sharp loud "whit".

References

* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern

External links

* [http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Western_Kingbird.html Western Kingbird Species Account] - Cornell Lab of Ornithology
* [http://www.sdakotabirds.com/species/western_kingbird_info.htm Western Kingbird Information and Photos] - South Dakota Birds and Birding
* [http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i4470id.html Western Kingbird - Tyrannus verticalis] - USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter