Thick-billed Kingbird Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesThick-billed Kingbird
A large flycatcher with a huge, slightly hooked bill. Head is dark gray, with a blackish mask through the eye. Dark head contrasts strongly with white throat and breast, which gives way to pale yellow below.
© Scott Page / Macaulay LibraryNevada, November 25, 2017Upperparts are gray to brown. Wings and tail are dark brown, with some feathers edged in cinnamon.
© James (Jim) Holmes / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 15, 2021A big kingbird with a deep, wide bill. Whitish throat contrasts strongly with dark gray head and blackish mask. Underparts pale yellow. Perches high in trees in search of flying insects that it catches on the wing.
© Russell Campbell / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, December 02, 2023Feeds mostly on flying insects, but also eats some fruit.
© Mark Wilson / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 24, 2021Commonly found atop high perches, which it uses to survey for insects and launch foraging flights.
© Scott Page / Macaulay LibraryNevada, November 25, 2017A noisy, conspicuous bird, often seen and heard calling from treetops.
© Josue de León Lux (Birding Guide) josuedeleonlux@gmail.com +502 3068 8988 / Macaulay LibraryEscuintla, October 20, 2022In main Mexican range, occurs in open areas within tropical dry forest, along streams and rivers within dry scrub habitats, and in thorn forest.
© Aquiles Brinco / Macaulay LibraryOaxaca, August 18, 2018Similar SpeciesWestern Kingbird
Western Kingbird has a lighter gray head, paler mask, greener upperparts, and smaller bill than Thick-billed Kingbird. Western Kingbird has white outer tail feathers, while Thick-billed Kingbird’s tail is entirely dark brown.
© Sean Williams / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, November 03, 2019Similar SpeciesCassin's Kingbird
Cassin’s Kingbird has a lighter gray head, greener upperparts, brighter yellow belly, and smaller bill than Thick-billed Kingbird. Cassin’s Kingbird has white restricted to the throat, bordered by a gray breast, while Thick-billed Kingbird has more extensive white on the throat and a whitish breast.
© Jonathan Casanova / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 18, 2021Similar SpeciesTropical Kingbird
Tropical Kingbird has a much lighter gray head; smaller, grayer mask; greener upperparts; brighter yellow belly; and smaller bill than Thick-billed Kingbird.
© Daniel Irons / Macaulay LibraryAlajuela, March 07, 2019Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Tyrant Flycatchers(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Tyrannidae)
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