The gray kingbird or grey kingbird, also known as pitirre, petchary or white-breasted kingbird, is a passerine bird in the tyrant flycatchers family Tyrannidae. The species was first described on the island of Hispaniola, then called Santo Domingo, thus the dominicensis name.
Region
Caribbean and adjacent Americas
Typical Environment
Breeds widely across the West Indies, Bahamas, and coastal areas of the Greater and Lesser Antilles, with seasonal occurrence in the Florida Keys and southern Florida. It also occurs along parts of the Caribbean coasts of Central and northern South America. Typical habitats include coastal scrub, mangroves, open woodlands, plantations, and urban edges. It favors areas with scattered perches such as fence posts and power lines from which it hunts.
Altitude Range
0–800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called pitirre or petchary, the gray kingbird is a bold tyrant flycatcher known for aggressively defending its nest against much larger birds. It often perches conspicuously on wires or exposed branches to sally out after flying insects. The species was first described from Hispaniola (then called Santo Domingo), reflected in its scientific name dominicensis. In Florida and some islands it is a familiar summer breeder along coasts and mangroves.
Temperament
bold and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats from exposed perches with quick sallies
Social Behavior
Often seen singly or in pairs perched prominently while hunting. During breeding, pairs build a shallow cup nest in trees or mangroves; both parents tend the young. They vigorously mob larger birds and predators near the nest.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Calls are loud, sharp, and scolding, often rendered as pit-ir-ree repeated insistently. Song is a series of harsh, chattering phrases used to advertise territory and during agitation.
