One of the flashiest and most widespread members of the kingbird family, and it lives up to its dramatic name. Found from the southern U.S. all the way down to Argentina, this bird is a bright splash of color in warm climates. With its lemon-yellow belly, olive-gray back, and dusky wings, the tropical kingbird is hard to miss when it’s perched on a wire or swooping after insects in wide, open areas. Unlike the more formally dressed Eastern Kingbird, the tropical variety looks like it’s always ready for a vacation in the sun.
What makes the Tropical Kingbird stand out from other kingbirds is not just its color but its relaxed personality — when it’s not being territorial, of course. During most of the day, it can be seen perched patiently, scanning the air for flying insects, which it catches in quick, acrobatic moves. Despite this calm appearance, it’s just as aggressive and bold as its relatives when defending a nest. These birds will dive-bomb much larger animals that get too close, including hawks, monkeys, and even humans. They seem to have no idea how small they are, and that fearless attitude is part of their charm.
Tropical kingbirds have musical voices. Their calls are a series of rapid, electric-sounding chirps and squeaks that sound like a buzzing robot trying to sing. It’s a very distinctive sound in the tropical landscape, and you can often hear them before you see them. In fact, in places like Central and South America, the tropical kingbird’s call is part of the background music of daily life in open fields, gardens, and city parks.
Distribution
Argentina
Aruba
Belize
Bolivia
Bonaire Sint Eustatius And Saba
Brazil
Canada
Cayman Islands
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cuba
Curaçao
Ecuador
El Salvador
French Guiana
Grenada
Guatemala
Guyana
Honduras
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Trinidad & Tobago
United States
Uruguay
VenezuelaAnything we've missed?
Help us improve this page by suggesting edits. Glory never dies!
Suggest an editGet to know me
Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic / Monomorphic (size)
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
