Eastern Kingbird

Eastern Kingbird - Another Large Flycatcher

Eastern Kingbird

The Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) is a common large flycatcher of New Brunswick.  It arrives in early May and uses this as its breeding grounds, leaving in September.  It is widespread throughout North America.  It breeds in all of southern Canada except west of the Rocky Mountains and in all of continental US except the very western states.  The exception is southern  California where it summers along the coast. It winters in South America, mainly in eastern Ecuador and Peru and western Brazil.

The Eastern Kingbird is a large flycatcher (21 cm/8.5 in long).  Mainly black and white, it has a black head and tail, and dark gray back and wings.  The black on the head comes below the eye looking somewhat like a mask.  The breast is white with light gray shading.  The tail has a conspicuous white terminal band.  The white throat is prominent.  The wings show narrow white edgings.  This species is not very vocal but does make rasping sputtering sounds like 'kdit kdit'.

Eastern Kingbird

The Eastern Kingbird prefers semi-open areas where it sits on trees and shrubs and dashes out after insects, its favourite food.  It also eats some fruits especially when insects are scarce.  It often can be seen hovering above the ground before it pounces on prey.   It usually builds its nest in the forest or treed areas near open land.  It lays 3 to 5 white eggs marked with lavender, gray or brown in a cup nest made of grass, animal hair, weeds and twigs.  It will also nest in cavities and nest boxes.

Eastern Kingbird

The Eastern Kingbird is an aggressive bird especially toward larger birds or any other species coming near its nest.  This is often seen and makes this a conspicuous species.  An interesting fact about this species is its name.  It is really mis-named.  It is not specifically an eastern species as the name indicates.  It is a summer resident of eastern, central and much of western North America.  It is always a delight to see the return of this species to our yards and open areas when spring comes.