Spotlight on Local Birds

As Featured in the MAY-JUNE Valley Habitat

Western Kingbird
By Jim Gain

Characteristics: Western Kingbirds are monomorphic (males and females have similar appearance), and are recognized by their yellow belly, all pale-gray chest and throat and gray-brown back. They will frequently flash their white outer tail feathers as they fly out from their perch. Western kingbirds are very territorial. Their 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. The song of these birds is a squeaky chatter, sometimes compared to a squeaky toy. The call is a sharp loud 'whit'.

Diet: In California’s Central Valley, a Western Kingbird's diet primarily consists of a variety of insects like wasps, bees, beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, moths, flies, and true bugs, with occasional additions of spiders, millipedes, and small amounts of berries or fruits from shrubs like elderberry and hawthorn, depending on availability.

Occurrence & Distribution: Western Kingbirds are Common Summer Visitors to California’s Central Valley and are one of the earliest returning Neotropic migrants usually arriving from Mexico and Central America in mid to late March. Their sudden appearance along country road fence lines is a sure sign that Spring has arrived.

Nomenclature History: The Western Kingbird was originally known as the Arkansas Kingbird, but scientists changed its name to acknowledge its wide range across western North America.