Western Kingbird or Tropical Kingbird? Western Kingbird: Large flycatcher, gray upperparts, darker head, white throat and upper breast, and yellow lower breast and belly. It was clear from the photos obtained by many birders that this was either a Tropical Kingbird or a Couch’s Kingbird and not the more expected Western Kingbird stray. Tropical kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus Southern Arizona and the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas in the United States through Central America, South America as far south as central Argentina and western Peru, and on Trinidad and Tobago White under chin of Cassin's Kingbird more defined than for Western Kingbird. Tropical Kingbird versus Couch's Kingbird Bird Identification Q&A. The white outer tail feathers of Western Kingbird, as well as its greyer breast and proportionally smaller bill, are features that help distinguish it from Tropical Kingbird (Sibley 2000, Dunn and Alderfer 2011). Photos comparing this bird species with similar or confusing species, including captions that point out specific differences to help confirm identification. Sometimes the tip of the outer feather has a dusky tip. Western wood pewee. Fairly large flycatcher of the Southwest U.S. and western Mexico, barely smaller than a robin. Hovers over prey and dips down. Although the shallowly forked tail of Tropical Kingbird (vs. Found in open, arid habitats with tall shrubs and trees. Listen to Cassin's kingbird on bird-sounds.net - a comprehensive collection of North American bird songs and bird calls. Eastern Kingbird - Tawakoni State Park, Hunt Co., April 24, 2010 Wings and slightly forked tail are dark. share. The differences, though, can be hard to remember if you are only use to seeing one of the species regularly. Western Kingbird has gray on breast; Couch's Kingbird, Tropical Kingbird have yellow on breast. "Tropical" or "Western" Kingbird? This large flycatcher sallies out to capture flying insects from conspicuous perches on trees or utility lines, flashing a black tail with white edges. Back Similar Species for Western Kingbird. Disclaimer: I've not personally seen either of these species. Western Kingbird or Cassin's Kingbird? I would say Western based on the hint of white edging (in the right 3 photos) on the right side of the tail -- bird's right, camera left -- and the lighter throat and bib than Cassin's would have. Bird Identification Q&A. Gray on Cassin's chest is darker. Bruce Fall, the Minnesota state eBird reviewer, discovered a large, “yellow-bellied” Kingbird at Murphy Hanrehan Park Reserve in Savage. Western kingbird. Also note the dark (not black) tail with white tip. An eye-catching bird with ashy gray and lemon-yellow plumage, the Western Kingbird is a familiar summertime sight in open habitats across western North America. Feeds on insects, fruits and berries. Cassin's vs. Western Kingbird Bird Identification Q&A. Tropical kingbird. They think nothing of using utility wires and fences as active perching spots. Choose a temperature scenario below to see which threats will affect this species as warming increases. Yellow-bellied flycatcher. Willow flycatcher. Couch's Kingbird: Large flycatcher, olive-green upperparts, gray head, dark eye patch, white throat, bright yellow underparts. Difficult to distinguish from Tropical Kingbird. Recent Examples on the Web There was a Western kingbird at Lighthouse Cove near Eastern Point. Climate threats facing the Tropical Kingbird.