Western Kingbird

Tyrannus verticalis

Class

Aves

Order

passeriformes

Family

tyrannidae

Genus

Tyrannus

The Western Kingbird is a flycatcher with a yellow belly, light gray heads, and ash colored wings and tail. Living in open habitats, they can be commonly found in grasslands, shrubs, pastures and urband landscapes perched on a high point. Thier dagger-shaped beak is a great mechanism to catching insects for food as they hunt for prey out of the air. During breeding times, Western Kingbirds are aggressive in defending territories and have been seen even warding off Red-tailed Hawks from the territory.

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