Tropical Kingbird

Tropical Kingbird. Birds Loja Ecuador. Urban Birds of the Park, Gardens, and Sourrounding areas of the city of Loja – Ecuador. 44 bird species . Illustrated by Pablo Andrade. Work supported by Jan Hinloopen.

Distribution

The Tropical Kingbird.- Very common and conspicuos in open and semipopen areas, including built – up areas and towns, in lowlands and foothills of east and west; in such regions one of most frecuently seen birds. Less numerous in extensively forested regions and desert – like areas.

Description.

21.5 cm. Head gray with somewhat contrasting darker mask through eyes and semiconcelated orange coronal patch; otherwise grayish olive above. Wings and tail brownish dusky, olive above. Wing feathers narrowly edged paler, rather long tail slightly forked. Throat pale grayish becoming grayish olive on chest; underparts bright yellow.

Habits.

Seen singly or in pairs (though flocks of possible austral migrants have been noted in east), usually perching fully in the open on exposed branches and wires and often remaining active through hot midday periods, one of few birds habitually to do so. Eats mainly insects captured during long and sometimes intricate sallies, also consumes considerable fruit. 

Information taken from the book Birds Of Ecuador of Robert Ridgely and Paul Greenfield