# Eastern Kingbird (*Tyrannus tyrannus*) The Eastern Kingbird is a lively bird with a black head and white belly. It loves to catch insects in mid-air and can often be seen perched on fences or wires, watching for its next meal. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 77 - **Habitat:** Open fields and gardens ![Eastern Kingbird](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Eastern_kingbird_%2821559%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eastern_kingbird_%2821559%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Eastern Kingbird has a sleek, dark gray back with a contrasting pure white belly and a black tail tipped distinctly in white. Its head is dark black, often hiding a small, vibrant orange-red crown patch. This upright posture and clean markings make it easily identifiable. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Tyrannidae - **Genus:** Tyrannus ## Interesting facts - A tiny, fiery orange patch hides on top of their head, usually only seen when they're excited! - Eastern Kingbirds can sometimes eat small fruits, making them more than just insect-eaters! - Their nest is often built on a horizontal tree branch, far from the trunk for safety! - They are called 'kingbirds' because they bravely chase much larger birds away from their nests! ## Special abilities - **King of the Sky Defense:** Eastern Kingbirds can bravely chase much larger birds like hawks because of their fierce territorial instinct, which helps them protect their nest. - **Mid-Air Muncher:** Eastern Kingbirds can catch flying insects with incredible agility in mid-air, because of their sharp eyesight and swift, acrobatic flight. - **Secret Crown:** Eastern Kingbirds have a hidden patch of fiery orange-red feathers on their head that only shows when they're excited, helping them display during courtship or confrontation. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 20-23 cm - **Wingspan:** 33-38 cm - **Weight:** 0.033-0.055 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-10 years - **Speed:** 50 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-5 - **Incubation:** 14-17 days - **Migration Distance:** 6000 km ## Diet & Feeding These birds primarily feast on flying insects, expertly caught mid-air, but also enjoy tasty berries! - **Primary Foods:** dragonflies, bees, beetles, grasshoppers, elderberries, mulberries - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Green Darner Dragonfly (*Anax junius*) — A primary prey item. - **Hunts:** [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) — Kingbirds catch these bees mid-flight. - **Eaten by:** [Cooper's Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cooper-s-hawk) (*Accipiter cooperii*) — May prey on kingbird adults or fledglings. - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — Can raid nests for eggs and nestlings. - **Eats:** [Red Mulberry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-mulberry) (*Morus rubra*) — Kingbirds consume its ripe fruits. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't disturb their nests. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eastern Kingbird? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Eastern Kingbird? 20-23 cm ### What is Eastern Kingbird's wingspan? 33-38 cm ### How much does Eastern Kingbird weigh? 0.033-0.055 kg ### How long does Eastern Kingbird live? 2-10 years ### How fast can Eastern Kingbird move? 50 km/h ### What does Eastern Kingbird eat? These birds primarily feast on flying insects, expertly caught mid-air, but also enjoy tasty berries! ### Where is Eastern Kingbird usually found? Open fields and gardens ## Where to spot - [Albany Pine Bush](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/albany-pine-bush) — New York, US · Nature Reserve - [Ambler Heights Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ambler-heights-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District - [Americus Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/americus-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Boerner Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/boerner-botanical-gardens) — Wisconsin, US · Botanical Garden - [Bristol Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bristol-downtown-historic-district) — Vermont, US · Historic District - [Broadmoor](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/broadmoor) — Louisiana, US · Neighborhood [View all places to see Eastern Kingbird](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eastern-kingbird) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Eastern Kingbird: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-kingbird)