Western Kingbird

1/2000s at f5.6 ISO:400, Canon Mark III 1Ds w/800mm


The breeding habitat of Western Kingbirds is in open areas in western North America. They make a sturdy cup nest in a tree or shrub, sometimes on top of a pole or other man-made structure. Clutch size is usually between 3 to 5, length of incubation is 18 to 19 days, and days to fledge is 16 to 17. 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 migrate in flocks to Florida and the Pacific coast of southern Mexico and Central America. They wait on an open perch and fly out to catch insects in flight, sometimes hovering and then dropping to catch food on the ground. They also eat berries.
Medicine Creek, NE
 
05/15/2009