Western Kingbird
The Western Kingbird is found on almost every ranch in the West, where alfalfa and livestock pastures provide many of the flying insects that make up the bulk of its diet. Like the Horned Lark, the Western Kingbird has benefited from the cutting of forests and has moved eastward in recent decades. In the Southwest, especially in arid regions, there are two other kingbirds, the Cassin's and Tropical, that look like the Western. The Western Kingbird is distinguished by the white feathers on the sides of its black tail. It is olive-brown above, yellow below with a gray head, a lighter grayish throat and upper breast. It has dusky wings and a blackish tail with white margins. Its red crown feathers are not normally visible.

The Western Kingbird flycatches from a perch on poles, fence posts or tree tops in open areas for a variety of insects. It also eats millipedes, spiders and some fruits. The Western Kingbird builds its nest in a variety of sites but prefers trees, when available. It may nest against the trunk, in a crotch or on a horizontal branch 8 to 40 feet above the ground in cottonwoods, oaks, sycamores, willows and other trees. If no trees are available it nests in bushes, on utility poles or a variety of structures.

The Western Kingbird breeds throughout West, from southern Canada south to Mexico and east to the Great Plains. It is a regular fall migrant on the Atlantic Coast and winters in tropics. The Western Kingbird prefers open country, ranches, roadsides, streams and ponds with trees.
Western Kingbird Range Map

Visit Shaw Creek Bird Supply and see our selection of Bird Houses, Bird Feeders, Hummingbird Feeders & Heated Bird Baths .

Copyright © 2004 Shaw Creek Bird Supply