Thick-Billed Kingbird
Tyrannus crassirostris
DescriptionThe U.S. range of the Thick-billed Kingbird is primarily restricted to southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico; occasionally straying to southern California. The Thick-billed Kingbird perches high in trees and preys on flying insects. The birds large bill allows it to feed on large insects, such as beetles, cicadas, grasshoppers, and bumble bees.
General: Sexes similar. 9 inches in length.
Adult: Grayish-brown upperparts. Large, dark gray-brown head with blackish mask and inconspicuous yellow crown patch. Large, thick, black bill. Whitish throat and breast. Yellowish belly and undertail coverts. Slightly forked, gray-brown tail with cinnamon-brown edges.
Juvenile: Has browner upperparts and brighter yellow underparts than adult.
Streamside growth, sycamore canyons.
Nesting3-4 white eggs with brown spots. The eggs have an 18-20 day incubation period. Fledging occurs in ? days. The nest is a cup made from twigs, grass, and plant stems. The nest is built in a sycamore or cottonwood. The eggs are incubated by the female.
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