Wild Guide: Eastern Kingbird

Eastern Kingbird

Tyrannus tyrannus

This bird’s moniker — kingbird — is fitting for two different reasons. First, eastern kingbirds bear a reddish-orange crown on their heads that is often hard to see in the field. Second, kingbirds are known for their fearless physical attacks of other birds. They chase away crows and even hawks that venture into their territories, screaming and sometimes landing on them in flight, pecking fiercely on their backs. Their voice is a burst of chattering, high, sharp kips, kitters, and tzeees.

Did You Know?

Eastern kingbirds were once referred to as bee-martins, based on the erroneous assumption they preyed on honeybees to their peril.