Birds · Passeriformes · Tyrannidae

Eastern Kingbird

Tyrannus tyrannus

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The eastern kingbird is a species of passerine bird of the family Tyrannidae belonging to the genus Tyrannus. It is a long-distance migrant that nests in North America and moves to the western Amazon basin and the central west of South America, reaching northern Argentina, during the boreal winter.

Weight

33 g – 55 g

Size

19 cm – 23 cm

Lifespan

10 years

Diet

Omnivore

Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

In pairs

Usually lives in pairs, sometimes for life.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

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Fun facts

Its scientific name means the tyrant of tyrants, and it has thoroughly earned it: it attacks and chases crows, falcons and eagles far larger than itself, striking them in flight until they are driven out of its territory.
In winter, in Amazonia, it is transformed: it drops its territorial aggression, turns fruit-eater and moves in nomadic flocks, a radical seasonal change of behaviour.
It has a crown of red and orange feathers hidden beneath the black of its head, which it only fans out in confrontations and that most observers never get to see.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (bird)
Habitat & environment: Open countryside with scattered trees, riverbanks and field edges of North America
Sexual maturity: 12 months
Gestation / incubation: 12 days
Litter / clutch size: 3

Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyrannus_tyrannus