Tropical Kingbird
Tyrannus melancholicus
The Tropical Kingbird is a species that primarily breeds from the southwestern United States (southeastern Arizona, southern Texas) south through Central and South America. In Oregon, it is considered an uncommon but regular fall vagrant, meaning individuals occasionally wander northward, primarily along the coast, in late September through November. Seeing one in Oregon is a notable birding record!
Like many other kingbird species, and indeed many flycatchers, male and female Tropical Kingbirds are virtually identical in plumage and generally similar in size. Distinguishing between the sexes in the field based on visual cues alone is extremely difficult.
General Characteristics (Both Sexes)
Size: A relatively large kingbird, similar in size to a Western Kingbird or an American Robin, typically 7.1-9.1 inches (18-23 cm) long.
Coloration:
Head: Pale gray head with a slightly darker mask around the eye.
Upperparts: The back and wings are grayish-green or olive-gray.
Underparts: A bright yellow belly and lower breast, contrasting with a paler, sometimes whitish, throat and a slightly dusky or olive-tinged upper breast. The yellow is usually very vibrant.
Tail: The tail is dark brown or blackish and notably forked (V-shaped at the tip), though the depth of the fork can vary and may be subtle. This fork is a key distinguishing feature from the Western Kingbird, which has a square tail with white outer edges.
Crown Patch: Both sexes have a hidden orange-red crown patch on the top of their head, usually concealed by the gray feathers. It's rarely seen unless the bird is agitated or displaying.
Bill: A relatively large, heavy, and long black bill for a kingbird, appearing somewhat "mean" or pointed.
Behavior:
Perching: Like other kingbirds, they prefer to perch prominently on exposed branches, utility wires, fences, or other elevated points in open or semi-open areas.
Flycatching: They are active flycatchers, sallying out from perches to catch insects in mid-air with acrobatic precision. They often return to the same perch.
Vocalization: This is the most crucial feature for identifying Tropical Kingbirds, especially to differentiate them from the very similar Couch's Kingbird (which is extremely rare in Oregon). Their common call is a distinctive, high-pitched, often repetitive, rapid "pip-pip-pip" or "chip-chip-chip" sound, sometimes described as a series of sharp, dry notes. Their dawn song is also distinctive.
Male Tropical Kingbird in Oregon
Plumage: Visually indistinguishable from the female.
Size: Generally similar in size to the female. Some sources suggest males might have a slightly larger hidden orange crown patch or subtly different outer primary feather shapes (more distinctly notched), but these are not reliable field marks for an average birder.
Singing: Males are the primary singers, using their calls and songs for territorial defense and attracting mates.
Female Tropical Kingbird in Oregon
Plumage: Visually indistinguishable from the male.
Size: Females are generally similar in size to the male, though some sources suggest they may weigh slightly more.
Nesting: While rare vagrants in Oregon, in their breeding range, females build the cup-shaped nest in trees, and primarily incubate the eggs. Both parents feed the young.
Habitat in Oregon (as a Vagrant)
When Tropical Kingbirds occur in Oregon, they are typically found in open situations close to the ocean, about estuaries, in pastures, towns, or other areas with scattered trees, power lines, and open spaces that resemble their natural semi-open woodland and edge habitats in the tropics. They will sit on telephone wires, fence lines, or bare tree branches.
Key Distinction from Western Kingbird (most likely confusion species in Oregon):
Tail: The Tropical Kingbird has a dark, forked tail (no white outer edges). The Western Kingbird has a black, square-tipped tail with white outer tail feathers. This is the easiest and most reliable visual difference.
Call: The Tropical Kingbird's call is a sharp, often rapid "pip-pip-pip." The Western Kingbird has a more squeaky, rising "kip" or "widik" call.
Like many other kingbird species, and indeed many flycatchers, male and female Tropical Kingbirds are virtually identical in plumage and generally similar in size. Distinguishing between the sexes in the field based on visual cues alone is extremely difficult.
General Characteristics (Both Sexes)
Size: A relatively large kingbird, similar in size to a Western Kingbird or an American Robin, typically 7.1-9.1 inches (18-23 cm) long.
Coloration:
Head: Pale gray head with a slightly darker mask around the eye.
Upperparts: The back and wings are grayish-green or olive-gray.
Underparts: A bright yellow belly and lower breast, contrasting with a paler, sometimes whitish, throat and a slightly dusky or olive-tinged upper breast. The yellow is usually very vibrant.
Tail: The tail is dark brown or blackish and notably forked (V-shaped at the tip), though the depth of the fork can vary and may be subtle. This fork is a key distinguishing feature from the Western Kingbird, which has a square tail with white outer edges.
Crown Patch: Both sexes have a hidden orange-red crown patch on the top of their head, usually concealed by the gray feathers. It's rarely seen unless the bird is agitated or displaying.
Bill: A relatively large, heavy, and long black bill for a kingbird, appearing somewhat "mean" or pointed.
Behavior:
Perching: Like other kingbirds, they prefer to perch prominently on exposed branches, utility wires, fences, or other elevated points in open or semi-open areas.
Flycatching: They are active flycatchers, sallying out from perches to catch insects in mid-air with acrobatic precision. They often return to the same perch.
Vocalization: This is the most crucial feature for identifying Tropical Kingbirds, especially to differentiate them from the very similar Couch's Kingbird (which is extremely rare in Oregon). Their common call is a distinctive, high-pitched, often repetitive, rapid "pip-pip-pip" or "chip-chip-chip" sound, sometimes described as a series of sharp, dry notes. Their dawn song is also distinctive.
Male Tropical Kingbird in Oregon
Plumage: Visually indistinguishable from the female.
Size: Generally similar in size to the female. Some sources suggest males might have a slightly larger hidden orange crown patch or subtly different outer primary feather shapes (more distinctly notched), but these are not reliable field marks for an average birder.
Singing: Males are the primary singers, using their calls and songs for territorial defense and attracting mates.
Female Tropical Kingbird in Oregon
Plumage: Visually indistinguishable from the male.
Size: Females are generally similar in size to the male, though some sources suggest they may weigh slightly more.
Nesting: While rare vagrants in Oregon, in their breeding range, females build the cup-shaped nest in trees, and primarily incubate the eggs. Both parents feed the young.
Habitat in Oregon (as a Vagrant)
When Tropical Kingbirds occur in Oregon, they are typically found in open situations close to the ocean, about estuaries, in pastures, towns, or other areas with scattered trees, power lines, and open spaces that resemble their natural semi-open woodland and edge habitats in the tropics. They will sit on telephone wires, fence lines, or bare tree branches.
Key Distinction from Western Kingbird (most likely confusion species in Oregon):
Tail: The Tropical Kingbird has a dark, forked tail (no white outer edges). The Western Kingbird has a black, square-tipped tail with white outer tail feathers. This is the easiest and most reliable visual difference.
Call: The Tropical Kingbird's call is a sharp, often rapid "pip-pip-pip." The Western Kingbird has a more squeaky, rising "kip" or "widik" call.