Western Kingbird
Tyrannus verticalis
Fairly large yellow-bellied flycatcher; common and widespread in western North America. Rather pale gray head with weakly contrasting whitish throat and breast, and lemon-yellow belly. Also look for black tail with white edges (but this can be difficult to see, especially when worn). Found in open habitats with tall shrubs and trees, often perched up conspicuously on a telephone wire or fence post. Compare especially with Cassin’s Kingbird, which is darker and more contrasting on the head. Winters in large numbers south to Costa Rica, often gathering in large loose groups during migration.
识别特征
Adults are a combination of both gray and yellow plumage, along with crimson feathers that are hidden until courtship or against intruders. Characteristic of kingbird species, the western kingbird is very territorial. Although the western is often misidentified as Cassin's kingbird, Couch's kingbird, or the tropical kingbird due to the yellow coloration, it can be distinguished from these other species through its black, squared tail with white edges.
分类信息
- 学名
- Tyrannus verticalis
- 命名信息
- Say, 1822
- 目
- Passeriformes
- 科
- Tyrannidae
- 属
- Tyrannus
分布与栖息地
The breeding habitat is open areas in western North America. The increased presence of trees throughout the Great Plains during the past century due to fire suppression and tree planting facilitated the range expansion of the western kingbird, as well as range expansions of many other species of birds.
- 繁殖区
- NA : nw, nc Canada to n Mexico
- 非繁殖区
- sw Mexico to Costa Rica
- 迁徙
- Complete migrants
行为
The name kingbird is derived from their "take-charge" behavior. These birds aggressively defend their territory, even against much larger birds such as hawks. They will attack humans, livestock, and pets when they think their young are in danger. Kingbirds make a sturdy cup nest in a tree or shrub, sometimes on top of a pole or other man-made structure. Three to five white, creamy, or pinkish eggs with heavy blotches of brown, black, or lavender are laid and incubated for 12 to 14 days. Due to the small size of the nest, and the chicks' rapid rate of growth, most of them are pushed out of the nest, due to overcrowding, before they are fully feathered and able to fly. <p>They wait on an open perch and fly out to catch insects such as bees, robber flies, winged ants, grasshoppers, and spiders. They are also known to eat berries, buckthorn/sumac, and poison ivy seeds.<p>These birds migrate in flocks to Florida and the Pacific coast of southern Mexico and Central America.
保护状况
- 种群趋势
- declining
照片
分布
鸟叫声
其他鸟类
Gray Emutail
Bradypterus seebohmi
Medium-sized, gray-brown bird with a weird spiky tail. Dull streaking on the back and underparts. Scarce Madagascar endemic that is found in sedge marshes in and adjacent to eastern rainforest at middle and high elevations. Very skulky, though it will sometimes sit in the open briefly to sing. Song is a bouncy trill, usually given as a duet by a pair. Far less likely to be seen than the common Madagascar Brush-Warbler or Swamp Warbler. In case of any confusion, look for the Gray Emutail’s smaller size, streaky back, and wispy tail.
Pied Monarch
Arses kaupi
Small black-and-white flycatcher found in wetter forests of northern Queensland. White underparts except for black breast band, with black mask, tail, and wings, blue eyering, and back back with white band. Rear of head has large puffy white collar (like a space helmet). Compare Frill-necked Monarch, which lacks black breast band and has more black under chin. Forages treecreeper-style, moving up and down tree trunks looking for insects in the bark. Calls include a fast repeated whistle.
Antioquia Brushfinch
Atlapetes blancae
Rare and endangered brushfinch thought to be possibly extinct until its rediscovery in 2018. It is only known from a few locations in the Colombian Andes north of the city of Medellín. Quite similar to the widespread Slaty Brushfinch, but is paler, lacks the white spot in the wing, and shows little or no dark mustache streak. It has been observed in remnant patches of native woodland and scrub as well as in adjacent cultivated areas.
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