Couch's kingbird is a passerine tyrant flycatcher of the kingbird genus. It is found from southern Texas along the Gulf Coast to the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, Belize and northern Guatemala. It is also found in the lower stretches of the Rio Grande Valley.
Region
Gulf Coast of North America and northern Central America
Typical Environment
Occurs from southern Texas along the Gulf Coast through northeastern Mexico to the Yucatán Peninsula, Belize, and northern Guatemala. Prefers open woodlands, riparian corridors, thornscrub edges, and savanna-like areas with scattered trees. Common along roadsides, pastures, and in suburban parks where tall perches are available. Often found near water and along river bottoms. Uses exposed perches for aerial foraging and aggressive territory defense.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Couch's kingbird is a tyrant flycatcher often confused with the Tropical Kingbird; its voice is the most reliable distinction. It gives loud, burry, rising phrases and rapid chatter, unlike the Tropical’s clearer twittering. It frequently sallies from exposed perches to snap up flying insects. The species honors American naturalist Darius N. Couch.
Santa Ana State Park, Texas
Temperament
assertive and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats from perches with strong, direct sallies
Social Behavior
Typically found in pairs during the breeding season and small loose groups outside of it. Pairs defend territories vigorously against other kingbirds and larger birds. Nests are open cups placed on horizontal branches or forks in trees, often in semi-open sites. Both parents participate in territorial defense and provisioning.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are loud, burry, and rising, often rendered as sharp pi-tik or ki-beer phrases followed by excited chatter. Calls are emphatic and repeated, carrying well in open habitats. The overall quality is harsher and more explosive than the similar Tropical Kingbird.
Plumage
Gray head and upper breast with a dusky facial mask, olive-green back and wings with pale edging, and bright yellow underparts. Tail is dark brown and slightly notched, without bold white outer edges. Throat and chest are pale gray grading to vivid yellow belly.
Diet
Primarily feeds on flying insects such as beetles, wasps, bees, dragonflies, and grasshoppers, caught in midair. Also hawks termites and other emergent swarms after rains. Occasionally takes small fruits and berries, especially outside the peak breeding season. May glean insects from foliage or ground when aerial prey is scarce.
Preferred Environment
Forages from exposed perches like wires, snags, and tree tops in open and edge habitats. Frequently works along riparian zones, pasture edges, and parks where flight corridors are open. Takes advantage of insect-rich areas near water and disturbed landscapes.
