Cassin's kingbird Tyrannus vociferans

Identification Tips:

• Large head
• Often seen perched in exposed location where it flies out to catch insects and returns to the same perch

Adult:

• Dark, unforked tail with buffy fringe
• Gray head with slightly darker cheeks
• Grayish-olive upperparts
• Pale throat and contrasting darker breast
• Yellow lower breast to undertail coverts

Juvenile:

• Plumage somewhat duller than adult
• Pale edges to wings

Similar species:

The Cassin's Kingbird is similar to several other species of kingbirds and can best be identified by its dark breast band. Tropical and Couch's Kingbirds have forked tails and darker cheeks. 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.