Cassin's kingbird
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Tyrannus vociferans

Cassin's kingbird (Tyrannus vociferans ) is a large tyrant flycatcher native to western North America. The name of this bird commemorates the American ornithologist John Cassin.

Appearance

Adults have a gray head with slightly darker cheeks; a dark unforked tail with a buffy fringe and gray-olive underparts. They have a pale throat and deep yellow lower breast.

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Juveniles are duller and have pale edges on their wings.

Measurements:

  • Length: 8.3–9.1 in (21–23 cm)
  • Weight: 1.6 oz (45 g)
  • Wingspan: 41 cm

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Distribution

Geography

In the summer, these birds can be found in California and from Montana to Utah, along the eastern Rocky Mountains. Their habitat includes rangelands and savannas.

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These birds migrate to their winter quarters between Southern California and northern Central America. They are permanent residents in south-central Mexico, and their main wintering ranges are west of the Gulf of California on Baja California Sur, and east of the sea on the mainland of western Mexico.

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Cassin's kingbird habitat map
Cassin's kingbird habitat map
Cassin's kingbird
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Habits and Lifestyle

They build a bulky nest on a horizontal tree limb in mid-story or the canopy of trees. The three to five spotted white eggs have an incubation period of 18 to 19 days.

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The Cassin's kingbird primarily feeds on insects it preys upon from high perches by hawking. It also eats berries and fruits in lesser quantities.

The call is a high-pitched shorter followed by a longer chirp, sounding like chi-beer.

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Lifestyle
Seasonal behavior
Bird's call

Diet and Nutrition

Population

Coloring Pages

References

1. Cassin's kingbird Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassin's_kingbird
2. Cassin's kingbird on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22700491/93779665
3. Xeno-canto bird call - https://xeno-canto.org/698481

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