Western kingbird Tyrannus verticalis

Identification Tips:

• Large head and bill
• Frequents open habitats
• Often seen perched on fences

Adult:

• Dark, unforked tail with white outer tail feathers
• Pale gray head with dark eyeline
• Grayish-olive upperparts
• Pale throat breast
• Pale yellow lower breast to undertail coverts

Juvenile:

• Plumage somewhat duller than adult
• Pale edges to wings

Similar species:

The Western Kingbird is similar to several other species of kingbirds. Tropical and Couch's Kingbirds have forked tails and dark cheeks. Cassin's Kingbird has a darker breast. Western Kingbird has white outer tail feathers. Thick-billed Kingbird usually has whiter underparts and has a darker head. Brown-crested, Ash-throated and Great Crested Flycatchers are somewhat similar but have darker, browner crowns and brown and rusty tails (Western's is black and white).