Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)
The Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) is a striking flycatcher known for its bold black and white tail pattern, often seen near ponds and rivers. This large, agile bird is a common sight in North America during the warmer months, where it actively hunts insects in open areas.
🇫🇷 | Tyran tritri |
🇩🇪 | Königstyrann |
🇲🇽 | Pitirre americano |
Taxonomy | |
Order | Passeriformes |
Family | Tyrannidae |
How to Identify
The Eastern Kingbird is characterized by a dark grey back extending from the head to the tip of the tail. The tail feathers are distinctively tipped with white. The underparts of the bird are a light grey.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Characteristics
Length | 19-23cm |
Weight | 33-55g |
Wingspan | 33-38cm |
Clutch Size | 2-5 eggs |
Incubation | 14-17 days |
Fledging | 12-14 days |
Sexual Maturity | 1 year |
Source | Wikipedia |
Where and When to Spot
The Eastern Kingbird can be observed from late spring through early autumn in parks with ponds or along rivers. As a migratory bird, it departs from the Montreal area during the colder months. It is often seen perched in the higher branches of trees or flying above the ground and water surface in search of prey.
Observation Records by Park and Season
Location | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jardin Botanique de Montréal | - | - | x | - |
Parc Angrignon | - | x | - | - |
Parc Bernard-Landry | x | - | - | - |
Parc Michel-Chartrand | x | - | - | - |
Parc de la Frayère | - | x | - | - |
Parc des Rapides, Lachine | - | x | - | - |
"x" indicates the species was observed, while "-" indicates no observation. Lack of observation doesn't necessarily imply that the species is absent. Data is derived from our park visit journals.