Diet
What do western kingbirds eat?
Large flying insects; some fruit in late summer.
Tyrant flycatchers (Tyrannidae)Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalis
Spring and summer diet
- Grasshoppers, bees, wasps, beetles and flies
Fall and winter diet
- Migrates to Mexico and Central America
Best feeder foods
- None — open country with wires and fences is the draw
Hunts from fence wires over open lawns and pastures and fearlessly chases hawks off its territory.
Frequently asked
What do western kingbirds eat?
Large flying insects; some fruit in late summer.
What is the best food to feed western kingbirds?
None — open country with wires and fences is the draw.
What do western kingbirds eat in winter?
Migrates to Mexico and Central America.
Sources
- Western Kingbird — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Western Kingbird life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Western 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.