Giant Kingbird

Tyrannus cubensis

A large flycatcher typically found singly or in pairs hunting from upper branches in wooded areas. It is grayish above and whitish below with a blackish crown and face, which resembles Eastern, Gray and Loggerhead Kingbirds, but none have the truly massive bill of the Giant Kingbird. Eastern Kingbird can also be separated by its bold white tail band, which is absent on Giant Kingbird. Gray Kingbird has a paler head with a dusky mask unlike Giant Kingbird. Loggerhead Kingbird has a gray tail band and its tail is typically squared off whereas the tail is usually notched in Giant. Calls include a squeaky “trrp-bee-bee-bip,” a shrill “trrree-bip,” and various peeps and chatters.

Identification

While this species has been reported in the past to average only 23 cm (9 in) long, this may be excessively conservative with the overall length being 23 to 26 cm (9.1 to 10.2 in). Although it is not the largest tyrant flycatcher, its body mass as reported is significantly higher than the next largest known kingbird, the thick-billed kingbird, with an average of 93.6 g (3.30 oz), sometimes scaling up to 108 g (3.8 oz), meaning it can be nearly as heavy as the largest tyrant flycatcher, the great shrike tyrant.

Taxonomy

The species is probably mostly closely related to the loggerhead kingbird, which also occurs in Cuba as well as several other nearby Caribbean islands.

Scientific name
Tyrannus cubensis
Authority
Richmond, 1898
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Tyrannidae
Genus
Tyrannus

Range and habitat

T. cubensis is endemic to Cuba, but is considered extirpated from the Turks and Caicos Islands and The Bahamas. Vagrant individuals have been sighted in Mexico and Hispaniola (Haiti). The giant kingbird is found in tall lowland forest. In particular, it favors pine forests and the wooded borders of waterways. It is also found in mixed pine barrens, open woodlands, swamps and savanna. It has also been seen in cloud forest.<p>It is threatened by habitat loss.

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Slender-billed Greenbul

Slender-billed Greenbul

Stelgidillas gracilirostris

Slim, long-tailed greenbul with an olive-brown back and gray underparts. When seen well, shows a red eye. Found in the canopy of humid forest. Can be found singly, in pairs, or in small groups. The most common vocalization is a long, descending whistle: “teeeiow.” The contrast between the dark upperparts and gray underparts make this a distinctive species by greenbul standards.

Red-necked Spurfowl

Red-necked Spurfowl

Pternistis afer

Large, chunky francolin with bare red skin on the throat and around the eye. There is much geographical variation in the presence or extent of white on the face, black-and-white streaking below, and black on the belly. Found in a wide range of habitats, including moist savanna, grassland, thickets, cultivation, and forest edge. The call is a series of rough “krek” notes, sometimes with a rollicking introduction. Bare red throat separates it from most other francolins. In areas of overlap with Swainson’s or Gray-breasted Francolins, Red-necked can be identified by black-and-white striped underparts.

Common Snipe

Common Snipe

Gallinago gallinago

Squat, cryptically-plumaged shorebird with a very long bill. Inhabits a wide range of wetland habitats, from damp meadows to saltmarshes. Mostly inconspicuous, feeding in muddy ground by probing with its bill, usually near reeds or other grassy cover. Often not seen until flushed, when it usually rises from fairly close range with a rough rasping call. Breeding birds are more conspicuous, perching on fence posts. In display flight, birds stoop from high overhead and produce a pulsating, bleating sound from air passing through their fanned tail. In Asia, beware of extremely similar Pin-tailed, Swinhoe's, and Latham's Snipes, all of which lack the white trailing edge of Common and have a slower, less erratic flight.

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