Loggerhead kingbird facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Loggerhead kingbird |
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| In Camagüey Province, Cuba | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Tyrannus
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| Species: |
caudifasciatus
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The loggerhead kingbird (Tyrannus caudifasciatus) is a type of bird found in the Caribbean. It belongs to a group of birds called tyrant flycatchers. These birds are known for catching insects while flying. You can spot the loggerhead kingbird in forests and other wooded areas on islands in the northern Caribbean. Sometimes, a few of these birds even fly all the way to Florida.
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About the Loggerhead Kingbird
The loggerhead kingbird is a medium-sized bird, usually about 24 to 26 centimeters (about 9 to 10 inches) long. It has a strong, thick beak. Its head, except for its throat, is black. It also has a hidden orange patch on the very top of its head, which you don't often see.
The top part of its body is gray, and its belly is lighter in color. Most loggerhead kingbirds have a grayish band at the end of their tail. However, on some birds, this tail band can be white.
Where Loggerhead Kingbirds Live
Loggerhead kingbirds live across many islands in the northern West Indies. This includes places like the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Isla de la Juventud, Hispaniola (which includes the Dominican Republic and Haiti), Jamaica, and Puerto Rico.
They love living in different kinds of wooded areas. You can find them in pine forests, broad-leafed forests, coffee farms with shade trees, and even in areas with mangrove trees. They also like open, park-like places. These birds can live anywhere from the coast up to the lower parts of mountains.
What Loggerhead Kingbirds Eat
Loggerhead kingbirds are skilled hunters. They mostly eat flying insects, catching them right out of the air. They also enjoy small fruits and berries. Sometimes, they even eat small lizards. You'll often see them sitting on an open branch, waiting to spot their next meal before flying out to catch it.
Loggerhead Kingbird Reproduction and Life Cycle
Loggerhead kingbirds build cup-shaped nests using twigs, stems, and grass. Both the male and female bird work together to choose the perfect spot for their nest.
During courtship, the male and female are very noisy. They make rattling sounds and loud calls, often chasing each other. Once they pick a nest site, the female will land there, flatten herself against the branch, and turn in circles. She makes sounds and flutters her wings. The male joins in, calling loudly and showing off his bright crown feathers.
In Puerto Rico, loggerhead kingbirds usually lay eggs between February and July. A female bird typically lays 2 to 4 eggs. However, in Jamaica, they often lay 4 to 5 eggs.
These birds are very protective of their nests. They will aggressively chase away other birds that come too close to their territory. This strong defense might be why other birds, like the shiny cowbird, don't usually lay their eggs in loggerhead kingbird nests.
Unlike some other kingbirds that migrate, loggerhead kingbirds stay in the same area all year round.
Images for kids
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In Jamaica
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In Jamaica
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In Cuba
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