Cassin's Kingbird Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesCassin's Kingbird
Large, hefty flycatcher with a thick bill. The head and chest are dark gray with a white mustache.
© Roger Clark / Macaulay LibraryNew Mexico, May 21, 2017Note dark tail with pale tips as opposed to pale outer tail feathers on similar species. White mustache not always visible, especially on birds with worn plumage.
© Shawn Billerman / Macaulay LibraryNew York, December 28, 2014Perches on branches, wires, or posts to watch for flying insects. Sallies out from its perch to grab an insect in flight.
© Larry Arbanas / Macaulay LibraryArizona, May 01, 2006Large, hefty flycatcher with a thick bill. The head and chest are dark gray with a white mustache. Note pale edging on the tip of the tail.
© Jonathan Casanova / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 18, 2021Often perches on exposed branches or wires where it waits for insects. Note dark gray head and white mustache.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 04, 2011Found in open country with scattered trees or open woodlands.
© David Lerwill / Macaulay LibraryNew Mexico, June 09, 2017Similar SpeciesTropical Kingbird
Adult
Tropical Kingbirds have a yellowish breast while Cassin's Kingbirds have a dark gray breast. They also have an entirely brown tail while the tail on Cassin's is tipped in white.
© Chris Wood / Macaulay LibraryPanamá, November 09, 2002Similar SpeciesWestern Kingbird
Adult/immature
Western Kingbirds have a paler gray breast than Cassin's Kingbirds. In flight Western Kingbirds have white outer tail feathers while Cassin's Kingbirds have white on the tip of the tail.
© Gerrit Vyn / Macaulay LibraryAlberta, May 24, 2010Similar SpeciesCouch's Kingbird
Adult/immature
Couch's Kingbirds have yellower chest and no white in tail while Cassin's Kingbirds have a grayer chest and a white-tipped tail.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryQuintana Roo, December 17, 2012Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Tyrant Flycatchers(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Tyrannidae)
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