Eastern kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus

Identification Tips:

• Length: 6.75 inches
• Large head
• Often feeds by flying out to catch insects and then returning to the same perch
• Often perches in an exposed location, for example, the very top of a tree or on a fence
• Frequents open habitats: agricultural areas and streams

Adult:

• Black tail with white terminal band
• Blackish upperparts
• Whitish underparts
• Red crown patch rarely visible

Juvenile:

• Upperparts browner than adult

Similar species:

The Eastern Kingbird is easily told from other similar kingbirds by its white terminal tail band and black and white plumage. Waxwings have yellow terminal tail bands.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.