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
Antarctic Tern
Sterna vittata
A light gray medium-sized tern. Black cap extends to bill in breeding plumage. Bill and legs red. In non-breeding birds, cap reduced to just the area behind the eye, bill has dull pinkish color, and underparts are white. Breeds in the circumpolar subantarctic region. Generally known to stay close to their breeding sites. Migrating Arctic Tern could occur in the same area, but not in breeding plumage, and would show more prominent black markings on outer primaries. White-fronted Tern can be distinguished by its larger body, lighter coloring, and longer, thinner, all-black bill.
Spot-tailed Nightjar
Antiurus maculicaudus
Small nightjar of savanna and grassland with scattered bushes and palmettos. Spends the day roosting cryptically on the ground, but at night may be found beside quiet roads and tracks. Like all nightjars, eyes reflect amber-red in lights. Plumage similar to other nightjars, but note the pale buffy eyebrow, buffy V-shaped stripe on the back, and bold wing spotting. Male has small white tail tip, lacking in female. White spots on male’s tail usually only visible in the hand. Song is high and insectlike, unlikely to draw attention.
River Tyrannulet
Serpophaga hypoleuca
Small, black, gray, and white flycatcher of lowland rivers. Most commonly found on river islands, and sometimes in other riverside vegetation. Tends to perch horizontally, and moves through dense, low vegetation to forage. Much lighter below than the similar, larger Black Phoebe, which is usually found along fast-flowing rivers at higher elevations.
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