Bird Guide

Fork-tailed Flycatcher vs Grey Kingbird

Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana)

Fork-tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus savana

Small32 gGrassland

The fork-tailed flycatcher is white below, gray above, and has a black cap. Males sometimes show a yellow crown stripe. Males also have an extremely long, forked tail, of even greater length than that of the related scissor-tailed flycatcher. Females have a somewhat shorter tail, and it is significantly shorter in juveniles. Males are 37–41 cm (15–16 in) in length; females, 28–30 cm (11–12 in), including tail. They weigh only 28–32 g (0.99–1.13 oz), much less than closely related kingbirds, which are half the total length of this species. Voice: Fork-tailed flycatchers produce both vocal and nonvocal sounds. In general, they have a dry, buzzy call, and a weak "tic-note" while in flight. Their wings have been observed to make a distinct whistling note while flying overhead. Research has uncovered differences in the pitch of whistling noises by different subspecies of T. savana.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Niels Krabbe · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Rogier Klappe · CC BY 2.0
Grey Kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis)

Grey Kingbird

Tyrannus dominicensis

Small47 gForest

The adult gray kingbird is an average-sized kingbird. It measures 23 cm (9.1 in) in length and weighs from 37 to 52 g (1.3 to 1.8 oz). The upperparts are gray, with brownish wings and tail, and the underparts are white with a gray tinge to the chest. The head has a concealed yellow crown stripe, and a dusky mask through the eyes. The dark bill is heavier than that of the related, slightly smaller, tropical kingbird. The sexes are similar, but young birds have rufous edges on the wing coverts, rump and tail.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Rosa Elena Albornoz @rosaelena_naturaleza · CC0
Photo: Aitor · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Fork-tailed Flycatcher and Grey Kingbird.