H.J. Ruiz – Avian101

The Eastern Kingbird adults are grey-black on the upper-parts with light underparts; they have a long black tail with a white end and long pointed wings. They have a red patch on their crown, seldom seen. I’ve never had the chance to see that red patch!

Their breeding habitat is open areas across North America. They make a sturdy cup nest in a tree or shrub, sometimes on top of a stump or pole. These birds aggressively defend their territory, even against much larger birds.

These birds migrate in flocks to South America.

They wait on an open perch and fly out to catch insects in flight, sometimes hovering to pick food off vegetation. They also eat berries and fruit, mainly in their wintering areas.

These birds got me confused when I first saw them, they fly and look like swallows, but once I had the opportunity to see them perched on top of a pine tree, it made it easier to see all their characteristics.

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Text and photographs © H.J. Ruiz – Avian 101