Eastern Kingbird Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesEastern Kingbird
Large-headed flycatcher with an upright posture and a white-tipped square tail. Blackish above (darker on the head) and white below.
© Frank Lehman / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, June 29, 2017Sturdy flycatcher with a black head and blackish back. Note white-tipped square tail.
© Benjamin Hack / Macaulay LibraryMichigan, May 13, 2020Broad-shouldered and big-headed flycatcher with clean pattern of dark upperparts and white underparts, with white tip to tail.
© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay LibraryMichigan, June 04, 2011Not all videos have sound
Perches upright on wires or exposed perches. White below and blackish above with a white-tipped tail.
© Bonnie Ott / Macaulay LibraryMaryland, June 14, 2017Blackish back combined with white-tipped tail is distinctive. Found in open areas.
© Michael Stubblefield / Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, May 10, 2020Breeds in open habitats such as yards, fields, pastures, grasslands, or wetlands.
© Jean-Sébastien Guénette / Macaulay LibraryQuebec, May 10, 2017Similar SpeciesEastern Wood-Pewee
Eastern Wood-Pewees are slimmer and have paler grayer backs than Eastern Kingbirds. They also have two pale wingbars that Eastern Kingbirds lack.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryOrange Walk, May 11, 2017Similar SpeciesEastern Phoebe
Eastern Phoebes are noticeably smaller, with more slender proportions and paler gray backs than Eastern Kingbirds. They tend to perch lower and habitually bob their tails, which kingbirds don't do.
© Epi Shemming / Macaulay LibraryOntario, May 22, 2017Similar SpeciesGreat Crested Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatchers have gray chests, yellow bellies, and rufous in the wings and tail unlike the black-and-white Eastern Kingbird. They occur more often in forests than in open habitat where kingbirds occur.
© Scott Martin / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, June 04, 2019Similar SpeciesWestern Kingbird
Western Kingbirds have a bright-yellow belly and pale gray head and back unlike the black-and-white Eastern Kingbird.
© Gerrit Vyn / Macaulay LibraryAlberta, May 24, 2010Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Tyrant Flycatchers(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Tyrannidae)
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