Eastern Kingbirds in Florida
When eastern kingbirds are present in Florida, when they nest, which native Florida plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 8a–11b yard.
- Status in Florida
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- April–July
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 8a–11b
When to expect eastern kingbirds in Florida
Eastern Kingbirds are summer residents in Florida, arriving shortly before nesting begins in April and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on bees, wasps and beetles.
Humid subtropical in the north to tropical in the Keys; a wet summer and a dry winter season.
Nesting in Florida
Across Florida, eastern kingbirds typically nest from April–July. Nest site: cup on horizontal tree limbs, often over water. Females lay 2–5 eggs, incubate for 14–17 days, and young leave the nest after 16–17 days.
Heat, humidity and summer storms: boxes need drainage holes, ventilation and shade, and nectar spoils fast.
- Eastern Kingbirds don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as wax myrtle, american beautyberry, coral honeysuckle for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Florida plants that attract eastern kingbirds
Of the regional native plants we track for Florida, these 8 provide food or cover eastern kingbirds use:
Waxy winter berries and dense evergreen cover.
Late-summer purple fruit clusters.
Blooms spring through summer.
Acorns and insect-rich bark.
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
Feeding eastern kingbirds through the Florida year
Kingbirds fearlessly chase hawks and crows; they perch on fences over open fields.
- Best foods: .
- In Florida's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Frequently asked
Are eastern kingbirds in Florida year-round?
No. Eastern Kingbirds are summer breeders in Florida and leave for the winter.
When do eastern kingbirds nest in Florida?
Nesting in Florida typically runs April–July, with 1 per season. Clutches are 2–5 eggs, incubated for 14–17 days.
What native plants attract eastern kingbirds in Florida?
Wax myrtle, American beautyberry, Coral honeysuckle, Southern live oak, Flowering dogwood, Eastern red cedar, Serviceberry, Smooth sumac are native plants in Florida that provide food or cover for eastern kingbirds.
Eastern Kingbirds in other regions
Other backyard birds in Florida
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
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Florida
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
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.