Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
The Eastern Kingbird is famous for its 'tyrannical' aggression, frequently chasing away much larger predators like Red-tailed Hawks and Crows from its territory.
- Scientific name
- Tyrannus tyrannus
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Tyrannidae › Tyrannus
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- decreasing
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Open areas such as pastures, fields, orchards, and wetlands with scattered trees for nesting.
- Diet
- Primarily flying insects like bees, wasps, and beetles; shifts to fruit and berries during winter migration.
- Range
- North America, Central America, South America
- Size
- 19-23 cm length; 33-38 cm wingspan
- Lifespan
- 2-10 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat loss, pesticide use reducing prey availability, and collisions with man-made structures.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless to humans. Observe from a distance of at least 10 meters. During nesting season, they are highly territorial and may dive-bomb intruders; if this occurs, calmly and quickly leave the immediate area to reduce the bird's stress.
The eastern kingbird ( Tyrannus tyrannus ) is a large tyrant flycatcher native to the Americas. The bird is predominantly dark gray with white underbelly and pointed wings. Eastern kingbirds are conspicuous and are commonly found in open areas with scattered trees and bushes, where they perch while foraging for insects. The Eastern kingbird is migratory, with its breeding range spread across North America and its wintering range in Central and South America.
Photo: Norma Malinowski, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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