Western Kingbird Sounds

Overview
ID info
Life History
Maps
Sounds

Dawn song
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California, July 12, 1960Recorded by L. Irby Davis | Macaulay Library
Calls
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California, June 28, 1953Recorded by William R. Fish | Macaulay Library
Calls
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Arizona, May 04, 1991Recorded by Geoffrey A. Keller | Macaulay Library
Calls
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Montana, July 02, 1961Recorded by Randolph Little | Macaulay Library
Calls
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California, April 14, 2001Recorded by Geoffrey A. Keller | Macaulay Library

Sounds provided by Macaulay Library.
Listen to more sounds of this species from the ML archive.

Songs

Though it’s not technically in the group of birds known as songbirds, the Western Kingbird has one call that functions as a song. Starting just before sunrise, breeding males perch on tree limbs or wires and give a rising series of sharp kips, culminating in a frantic burst of loud descending notes. Each call lasts about 2 seconds, and the male may repeat the pattern for half an hour to proclaim his territory.

Calls

Western Kingbirds give sharp kip notes and squeaky twitters. The male gives a harsh, buzzing call when attacking predators or other kingbirds.

Other Sounds

Both males and females snap their bills while attacking predators or intruders. The male occasionally makes a whirring sound with his wings when fighting with other Western Kingbirds.