About the Thick-billed Kingbird
The thick-billed kingbird is a large member of the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Guatemala.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The thick-billed kingbird is about 25 cm (9.8 in) long and weighs about 52 to 59 g (1.8 to 2.1 oz). Females are slightly smaller than males and the sexes have essentially the same plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies have a dark grayish brown forehead, crown, lores, and ear coverts; their cheeks are white. The crown feathers form a slight crest. Both sexes have a partially hidden lemon or canary yellow patch in the center of the crown though females' are narrower. Both sexes have a grayish brown nape that is paler than the rest of the head. Voice: The thick-billed kingbird has a variety of calls that apparently have different functions. The most frequent is a "wo-parted phrase, T t t t t, t T t tt rwheeuh t tt". Others include chatters, a "loud, rasping tch-uhrreeE, a "harsh ruhr", and a "clear tch-rroy".
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Canada.
When to see it
Peak activity in January · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Loggerhead KingbirdTyrannus caudifasciatusThe loggerhead kingbird has a length of 24 to 26 cm (9.4 to 10.2 in), and is a large species of kingbird with a heavy bill.
White-throated KingbirdTyrannus albogularisThe white-throated kingbird is 20 to 21 cm (7.9 to 8.3 in) long and weighs 35 to 38 g (1.2 to 1.3 oz).
Snowy-throated KingbirdTyrannus niveigularisThe snowy-throated kingbird is 18.5 to 19 cm (7.3 to 7.5 in) long; one male weighed 34.4 g (1.2 oz).
Learn the Thick-billed Kingbird for real
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