Thick-billed Kingbird
Tyrannus crassirostris
Large kingbird with huge bill. Rather dark grayish-brown above with white throat and pale yellow wash on belly. Overall color and bill size make this kingbird unlikely to be mistaken. Most common in riparian woodlands with cottonwood trees; often perches up conspicuously. Also occurs in other wooded habitats like thorn forest and oak scrub. Gives some squeaky calls and twitters.
Identification
This is a large tyrant flycatcher, with adults measuring 23.5 cm (9.3 in) in length. 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, for which it is named, is rather large and stocky compared to other members of this group and it is one of this kingbird's most distinguishing characteristics. The call is a loud, whistled pwaareeet.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Tyrannus crassirostris
- Authority
- Swainson, 1826
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Tyrannidae
- Genus
- Tyrannus
Range and habitat
This bird breeds from southeastern Arizona and extreme southwestern New Mexico in the United States and northern Sonora (the Madrean sky islands) through the western and western-coastal ranges in Mexico, south to western Guatemala. 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.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Bismarck Honeyeater
Vosea whitemanensis
A relatively distinctive honeyeater, olive-brown overall with a darker cast to the face and obvious pale bare skin surrounding and extending slightly behind the eye. Bill is long and conspicuously downturned. Found in primary montane forest, forest edge, and occasionally gardens above 900 meters of elevation. Voice is reportedly a sequence of 3-8 soft whistled 2-syllabled notes, but little known.
Wangi-wangi White-eye
Zosterops paruhbesar
Only described in 2022; endemic to the island of Wangi-Wangi in the Tukangbesi archipelago off the southeastern tip of Sulawesi. Relatively large and lanky for a white-eye, with a striking orangey-yellow bill immediately distinguishing it from Wakatobi White-eye, the only other white-eye on the island. Also note the pale belly and chest contrasting with the relatively dull yellow upperparts and yellow throat. Found throughout the island in patches of taller and denser forest, although uncommon and already declining due to habitat loss and trapping for the cagebird trade. Gives a variety of calls, including a distinctive nasal series and a stuttered "tew-tew-tew." The less commonly heard song is a sweet warbling phrase, slower, lower-pitched, and less rambling than the song of Wakatobi White-eye.
Elegant Crescentchest
Melanopareia elegans
A striking little bird, shaped like a robust gnatcatcher. Note the bold black-and-buff head pattern, black chest fading to rufous flanks, and bright rufous on the wings. Tail is long and narrow. Unmistakable if seen well, but compare with Marañon Crescentchest, which has silvery wing edges and more richly-colored underparts. Secretive; singles or pairs skulk in dense thickets and understory of dry woodland and second growth, up to 2,300 m. More often detected by song; listen for a series of loud, popping chip notes.
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