Tyrannus – Kingbirds

Despite their modest size, these flycatchers have earned their regal name for a reason — they’re known for aggressively defending their territory, often chasing away birds much larger than themselves, including hawks and crows. Their scientific name Tyrannus literally means “tyrant,” and they live up to it with their bossy, no-nonsense behavior. Whether they’re guarding a nest or chasing intruders out of their airspace, kingbirds act like they own the skies.

One of the most well-known species is the Eastern Kingbird, which sports a clean black-and-white look: charcoal-gray back, white belly, and a bold white band at the tip of the tail. But one of its coolest hidden features is a small patch of red, orange, or yellow feathers on the crown of its head — visible only when the bird raises them in display. It’s like a secret badge of honor or a bird version of a hidden crown. Other kingbird species, like the Tropical Kingbird or Western Kingbird, show more vibrant yellows on their belly and are often seen perched on wires or branches, darting out to snatch flying insects midair with incredible precision.

A fun fact about kingbirds is that they migrate impressive distances. For example, Eastern Kingbirds breed in North America during the summer and fly all the way to South America for the winter — that’s thousands of miles each year! During migration, they often gather in large flocks and feed on fruits, which is a bit of a change from their usual bug-hunting routine.