The present genus Tyrannus was introduced in 1799 by the French naturalist Bernard Germain de Lacépède with the eastern kingbird as the type species.
In eastern Washington they are common throughout the shrub-steppe region near lakes, ponds, marshes, and farmland.
427 Sample size Small Data quality Acceptable Observations. Hence, although lifespan was the dominant influence on LRS, negative effects of large female size appeared to be expressed through the influence of body size on other demographic parameters that contribute to LRS. The birder who explores such areas is likely to see the bird perched low over the water, slowly wagging its tail, then darting out in rapid flight to snap up an insect just above the water's surface. This small, white-bellied, conspicuous species has the largest distribution of any North American kingbird. From the family of Tyrant flycatchers comes one of our most common and easily observed songbirds of suburban and rural settings. The Eastern Kingbird is a member of the flycatcher family.
Adult sexes are similar in plumage.
I investigated the major correlates of LRS and specifi cally tested the hypothesis that small body size yields reproductive benefi ts. if it is a captive turkey they have been known to live 10 years or more. Mostly an eastern Washington species, the Eastern Kingbird breeds in a few areas in Western Washington--in Pierce, Snohomish, and Skagit Counties. Kingbirds (Tyrannus) are aerial-hawking insectivores of open spaces that occur in most physiographic regions of North America.Of the eight species that breed north of Mexico, the Eastern Kingbird is the most widely distributed (); it and the Gray Kingbird (T. dominicensis) are the only species of Tyrannus with established breeding populations east of the Mississippi River.
The species ejects Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) eggs, but may also be parasitized by other Eastern Kingbirds (Oberholser 1974, Harrison 1979, Murphy 1996). I report on the lifetime reproductive success (LRS) of female Eastern Kingbirds (Tyrannus tyrannus) in central New York. The Eastern Kingbird is found in open landscapes that provide suitable trees for nesting and sufficient perches for foraging. Length 7.8–9.2". Bent Life History for the Eastern Kingbird - the common name and sub-species reflect the nomenclature in use at the time the description was written. Eastern kingbirds are aggressive and will energetically attack threats, such as large hawks, crows, blue jays, squirrels, and snakes, whenever they are nearby. Field marks.--The eastern kingbird is a large flycatcher with a broad white line across the tip of its black tail, two very inconspicuous wing bars, and no yellow in its plumage. One song is its “dawn song,” and the other is its mating call. Eastern kingbird Synonyms Lanius tyrannus Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits Maximum longevity 11.1 years (wild) Source ref.
Nests are built in a cup shape and placed in trees or shrubs, or on high man-made structures.
Though rarely visible, eastern kingbirds have a red crown patch on the head. STATUS.
In summer, they require open spaces for hunting and catching insects and trees for nesting.
Like many songbirds, the Eastern Kingbird has two distinct songs.