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.
Adults are grey-black on the upperparts but their throat, chest, and belly are white in color; they have a long black tail with a white end and long, pointed wings. Males and females look alike and have a red patch on their crown which is rarely seen. They are of average size for a kingbird, at 19–23 cm (7.5–9.1 in), 33–38 cm (13–15 in) across the wings and weighing 33–55 g (1.2–1.9 oz).
Eastern kingbirds breed across North America and spend winter in South America. They inhabit open areas, often near water. These birds can be found in grasslands, shrubland, woodland clearings, along forest edges, around marshes, as well as in farmlands, fields, roadsides, orchards, and city parks. They spend winter in tropical forests, near wetlands and along lakes and rivers.
Eastern kingbirds don't walk or hop on the ground; they move by flying from one place to another and perform aerial displays. These are social birds especially during migration when they can form large flock; however, during the breeding season, they become very aggressive and defend their territory, even against much larger birds. Eastern kingbirds feed during the day waiting on an open perch and fly out to catch insects in flight, sometimes hovering to pick prey off vegetation. The call of Eastern kingbirds is a high-pitched, buzzing and unmusical chirp which is often compared to an electric fence.
Eastern kingbirds are omnivores. They feed mainly on insects such as bees, wasps, caterpillars, ants, crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, locusts, mosquitos and flies. On the wintering grounds, they also consume berries and fruit.
Eastern kingbirds are monogamous and form pairs that may last for several years. The breeding season usually takes place in May. Eastern kingbirds build a sturdy cup nest in a tree or shrub, sometimes on top of a stump or pole. It is often lined with soft materials like grass, hair, or flowers. Both the male and the female aggressively defend the nest and breeding territory from intruders. The female lays 2 to 5 eggs and incubates them about 16-18 days. The chicks are altricial; they are hatched helpless and with closed eyes. The nestlings usually fledge at 16-18 days of age, but often remain with their parents around 5 weeks more.
Eastern kingbirds are not considered to be globally threatened and some declines occur mainly due to habitat loss and degradation, the use of pesticides, and collisions with vehicles.
According to the What Bird resource, the total population size of the Eastern kingbird is around 13,000,000 individuals. According to the All About Birds resource the total population size of the species is 27,000,000 birds. Overall, currently Eastern kingbirds are classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List but their numbers today are decreasing.
Eastern kingbirds are important in their ecosystem; due to their diet habits, these little birds helpt to control populations of various insects they prey on and disperse seeds of fruits and berries they eat throughout their habitat.
