Loggerhead Kingbird

Overview

The loggerhead kingbird (Tyrannus caudifasciatus) is a species of sub-oscine passerine bird belonging to the family Tyrannidae. It is a large kingbird found throughout the northern West Indies, with rare vagrant records in southern Florida.

Identification

• Length of 24 to 26 cm with a heavy bill.
• Two-toned plumage with dark upper parts, grayish backs, and lighter underparts.
• Black head featuring a rarely seen orange patch on the crown.
• A grayish or white band at the end of the tail in most populations.

Habitat

Found in wooded habitats across the northern Caribbean, including the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Isla de la Juventud, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. It inhabits woodlands, pine and broad-leafed forests, shade coffee plantations, mangroves, and open park-like areas from the coast to lower mountainous regions.

Diet

Feeds on flying insects, small fruit, berries, and small lizards. It is frequently observed hunting from exposed perches.

Did you know?

Adults are so aggressively territorial that they may repel shiny cowbirds, resulting in no recorded instances of nest parasitism for this species.