New Bird Species 5/20/2023

     As I headed inside after a long day of work, I noticed a bird in the large mesquite tree by my yard. It was different than any other bird I had seen yet. It was quite a bit larger than your average songbird and had this striking contrast between its lights undersides and a dark head and back. I ran to get my camera, when I returned another one had showed up! Now there was two for me to capture in photo. The two birds were Eastern Kingbirds (Tyrannus tyrannus), a large flycatcher. 

Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)

    Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)


    I am very familiar with other species of flycatchers, especially the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher but also the Eastern Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Eastern Wood-pewee and Ash-throated Flycatcher. This new species adds to the diversity of flycatchers present on the ranch. Its coloration is most similar to the Eastern Wood-pewee (Contopus sordidulus) but regardless are easy to tell apart because of the Eastern Kingbird's much larger size. 
    Like other flycatchers, the Eastern Kingbird catches insects midair, smaller insects will be swallowed while still on the wing. During the summer its diet consists mostly of insects but it will begin to feed mostly on fruit during the winter. The Eastern Kingbird is migratory like its relatives, it migrates into South America during the winter. These two individuals are in the summer range during the breeding season, therefore its possible that these could be a pair searching for a spot to nest. However, it is also entirely possible that they are feeding or resting. The Eastern Kingbird is the sixth species of flycatcher seen on the ranch. It also shows the new fauna that comes with summer time. 

Sources:
Field Guide to the Birds of North America 7th Edition by Jon L. Dunn and Jonathan Alderfer. 
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Kingbird/lifehistory
https://txtbba.tamu.edu/species-accounts/eastern-kingbird/



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