Tyrant flycatchers (Tyrannidae)
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus. Flying insects in summer; fruit in the Amazon winter.
Tyrant flycatchers (Tyrannidae)Eastern KingbirdTyrannus tyrannus
- Scientific name
- Tyrannus tyrannus
- Length
- 7.5–9.1 in
- Weight
- 1.2–1.9 oz
- Nest
- Cup on horizontal tree limbs, often over water
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 2–5 eggs
- Incubation
- 14–17 days
- Broods
- 1 per season
Identification
- Dark grey above, white below
- White band at the tail tip
- Hidden red crown patch
Voice
Sputtering, electric 'kitter-kitter'.
Diet and feeding
Flying insects in summer; fruit in the Amazon winter.
Eastern Kingbirds by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Alberta | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Arkansas | Summer breeder | May–July |
| British Columbia | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Colorado | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Connecticut | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Delaware | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Florida | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Georgia | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Idaho | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Illinois | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Indiana | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Iowa | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Kansas | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Kentucky | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Louisiana | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Maine | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Manitoba | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Maryland | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Massachusetts | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Michigan | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Minnesota | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Mississippi | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Missouri | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Montana | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Nebraska | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Nevada | Summer breeder | May–July |
| New Brunswick | Summer breeder | June–July |
| New Hampshire | Summer breeder | June–July |
| New Jersey | Summer breeder | May–July |
| New York | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Summer breeder | June–July |
| North Carolina | Summer breeder | May–July |
| North Dakota | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Northwest Territories | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Nova Scotia | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Ohio | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Oklahoma | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Ontario | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Oregon | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Pennsylvania | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Prince Edward Island | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Quebec | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Rhode Island | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Saskatchewan | Summer breeder | June–July |
| South Carolina | Summer breeder | April–July |
| South Dakota | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Tennessee | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Texas | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Utah | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Vermont | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Virginia | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Washington | Summer breeder | May–July |
| West Virginia | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Wisconsin | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Wyoming | Summer breeder | June–July |
Frequently asked
What do eastern kingbirds eat?
Flying insects in summer; fruit in the Amazon winter. At feeders: .
How big is a Eastern Kingbird?
7.5–9.1 in long and 1.2–1.9 oz.
Do eastern kingbirds use birdhouses?
No. Cup on horizontal tree limbs, often over water.
Sources
- Eastern Kingbird — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Kingbird life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Kingbird — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.