Measurements
Both Sexes
- Length
- 7.9–9.4 in
20–24 cm - Wingspan
- 14.6–15.7 in
37–40 cm - Weight
- 1.3–1.6 oz
37–46 g
Other Names
- Tyran de l'Ouest (French)
- Madrugador avispero (Spanish)
Cool Facts
- The breeding range of the Western Kingbird has been expanding eastward for the last 100 years. It has been associated with tree planting across the Great Plains. It was unknown in Florida until about 1915, but has become a regular winter visitor since then.
- A Western Kingbird pair defends a rather loosely defined territory against other kingbirds. After pairing takes place they defend a smaller and smaller territory. By the middle of incubation the territory is quite small, concentrated primarily on the nest tree and nest.
- The Western Kingbird is regularly noted in the fall along the East Coast, from Newfoundland to Florida. Individuals are seen in some coastal spots every year. Spring records, however, are rare.
Habitat
Grassland
Prefers open habitats with trees, shrubs, or tall man-made structures. Habitats include grassland, desert shrub, pasture, savanna, and urban areas.
Food
Insects
Flying insects and some fruit.
Nesting
Nesting Facts
- Clutch Size
- 2–7 eggs
- Egg Description
- Creamy white with heavy dark spots, concentrated around large end.
- Condition at Hatching
- Helpless and with sparse white down.
Nest Description
Nest an open cup of grass stems, rootlets, fine twigs, bark and plant fibers, lined with fine material such as wool, cotton, hair, feathers, and cloth. Built in trees or on human-made structures, such as utility poles and fence posts.
Nest Placement
Tree
Behavior
Flycatching
Captures most prey by aerial hawking from an elevated perch. Also grabs insects on ground and off vegetation.
Conservation
Least Concern
Widespread and common. No significant nationwide trend, but some local increases and decreases.
Credits
- Gamble, L. R., and T. M. Bergin. 1996. Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis). In The Birds of North America, No. 227 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.