Tyrannus verticalis
The tumble-flight courtship display of the Western Kingbird is one of the West's most entertaining spring scenes. Twisting and turning, the male flies 60 ft. (18 m) up, suddenly stalls, and then tumbles, flips and twists as he falls toward the ground. This persistent species often chases flying insects for more than 40 ft. (12 m) and up to heights of 20-40 ft. (6-12 m) before snapping its bill upon its prey. The Western Kingbird is less of a tyrant than its eastern cousin; the two species occasionally nest near one another. Western Kingbirds are commonly seen perched on fenceposts, barbed wire and power lines, surveying for prey. The hidden red crown is flared in courtship displays and in combat with rivals. The scientific name verticalis refers to this bird's hidden crown. |
I.D.: Sexes similar: gray head and breast; yellow belly and undertail coverts; dark brown tail; white outer tail feathers; white chin; black bill; ashy gray upperparts; dark gray mask; unforked tail; thin, orange-red crown. Size: L 8-9 in. (20-23 cm). Range: locally uncommon breeder and migrant throughout the U.S. Rockies; rare in the Canadian Rockies. Habitat: open areas and willow and birch shrubs in agricultural, open and riparian areas up to the lower montane. Nesting:N near the trunk of a deciduous tree; frequently on human structures, such as barns, towers and telephone pole crossbeams; cup nest is lined with fur, twigs, roots and feathers; female incubates 4-5 eggs for 14 days. Feeding: flycatches aerial insects, such as bees, wasps, butterflies and moths; occasionally eats berries. Voice: chatty, twittering whit-ker-whit; also pkit-pkit-pkeetle-dot. Similar Species: Cassin's Kingbird: very rare in the southern U.S. Rockies; lacks the white outer tail feathers; darker breast and upperparts. |
