Gray kingbird facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gray kingbird |
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| T. d. vorax, Tobago | |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Tyrannus
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| Species: |
dominicensis
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The gray kingbird is a cool bird also known by names like pitirre or petchary. It's a type of passerine bird, which means it's a perching bird, often found in warm places.
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Where Gray Kingbirds Live
This bird is a tyrant flycatcher, a type of bird that catches insects while flying. You can find them in tall trees and bushes, especially near savannas and marshes. They build a simple, cup-shaped nest in a tree. The female bird lays about two cream-colored eggs, which have reddish-brown spots.
What Gray Kingbirds Look Like
The gray kingbird is a medium-sized bird. It's about 23 centimeters (9 inches) long and weighs between 37 to 52 grams (1.3 to 1.8 ounces). Their top feathers are gray, and their wings and tail are brownish. Their belly is white, with a hint of gray on the chest.
On their head, they have a hidden yellow stripe on their crown, and a dark mask goes through their eyes. Their dark beak is stronger than that of the tropical kingbird, which is a bit smaller. Male and female gray kingbirds look very similar. Young birds, however, have reddish-brown edges on their wing feathers, rump, and tail.
What They Sound Like
The gray kingbird has a loud, rolling call that sounds like pipiri pipiri. This unique sound is why they have many local names! For example, in Spanish-speaking areas like the Greater Antilles, they are called pestigre or pitirre. In some English-speaking places, they are known as petchary.
Diet and Behavior
Gray kingbirds are smart hunters. They often wait on a high branch in a tree, watching for food. When they spot an insect, which is their main meal, they quickly fly out to catch it in mid-air.
Like other kingbirds, these birds are very brave and will protect their home. They aggressively chase away anything they see as a threat. This includes mammals and even much larger birds like caracaras, red-tailed hawks, and broad-winged hawks!
Where They Are Found
You can find gray kingbirds in many places. They are becoming more common in Florida, USA, and are now seen more often inland, not just along the coast. The bird was first discovered on the island of Hispaniola, which was once called Santo Domingo. That's why its scientific name is dominicensis!
They breed from the far southeast of the United States, mainly in Florida, all the way through Central America and the West Indies. They also live south into Venezuela, Trinidad, Tobago, the Guianas, and Colombia. Birds from the northern areas are migratory, meaning they fly south for winter. They spend their winters along the Caribbean coast of Central America and northern South America. Some gray kingbirds have also been seen in the American Northeast, even though it's not their usual home.
Gallery
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See also
In Spanish: Tirano dominicano para niños
