Thick-billed Kingbird
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| Tyrannus crassiostris (Swainson, 1826) |
The Thick-billed Kingbird, Tyrannus crassirostris, is a large Tyrant flycatcher. This bird breeds from southeasternmost Arizona and southwesternmost New Mexico in the United States through western Mexico to western Guatemala.
Adults are dusky olive-brown on the upperparts with light underparts; they have a long dark brown or black tail. The underside is a dull white to pale yellow. They have a yellow patch on their crown, but is not visible very often. The bill on this species is rather large and stocky compared to other members of this group and it is one of this kingbirds most distinguishing characteristics. The call is a loud, whistled "pwaareeet".
Thick-billed Kingbirds usually occur in arid or partly arid areas in streamside riparian canyons, or open areas near water. They are particularly fond of sycamore woodland edges. They make a nest in a tree branch, usually close to the trunk above 6 meters high. The female lays 3-5 eggs.
These birds are mostly resident in territories year round, but birds in the United States will retreat southward for the winter.
They wait on an open perch usually rather high or on top of the tree and fly out to catch insects in flight.
[edit] References
- BirdLife International (2004). Tyrannus crassirostris. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
