The eastern kingbird 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.
Region
North America (breeding) and northern South America (wintering)
Typical Environment
Breeds widely across open and semi-open habitats in North America, including fields, pastures, forest edges, lakeshores, and fencelines with scattered trees. It favors prominent perches such as wires or exposed branches from which it launches foraging flights. Near water, it frequently patrols shorelines and river corridors. In winter it occurs in tropical lowlands, forest edges, and second-growth habitats from Central America into the Amazon Basin and Andean foothills. It often gathers in loose flocks on fruiting trees during migration and winter.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A bold aerial insect-hunter, the Eastern Kingbird often sallies from exposed perches and aggressively mobs much larger birds of prey. Its tail shows a crisp white terminal band, and it conceals a tiny red crown patch that is rarely displayed. In the nonbreeding season it shifts to fruit, helping disperse seeds across tropical forests.
Juvenile eastern kingbird
Nest and eggs
Eggs, Collection Museum Wiesbaden
Adult feeding two nestlings
Temperament
assertive and territorial
Flight Pattern
strong flier with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Monogamous pairs defend conspicuous territories during breeding, often chasing away crows, hawks, and other intruders. Nests are open cups placed on horizontal limbs or forks, usually in isolated trees or along edges. Both parents feed the nestlings and may aggressively mob predators near the nest. Outside the breeding season they can form loose flocks, especially on migration and around fruiting trees.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations are sharp, buzzy notes and sputtering series, often rendered as tzeer, kit, and rapid chattering bursts. Dawn song is a more extended, crackling series of twitters and buzzes. Calls are loud and frequent during territorial chases.
