Cassin's Kingbird (Tyrannus vociferans) is in the Tyrant Flycatchers family (Tyrannidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 18,606 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Cassin's Kingbird: observations by month (U.S.)
About Cassin's Kingbird
Cassin's kingbird (Tyrannus vociferans) is a large tyrant flycatcher native to western North America. The name of this bird commemorates the American ornithologist John Cassin.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Cassin's Kingbird by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 15,358 | January | Dec–Nov |
| Arizona | 1,674 | May | Apr–Sep |
| New Mexico | 661 | May | Apr–Jul |
| Texas | 505 | May | Apr–Sep |
| Colorado | 159 | May | May–Jul |
| Florida | 53 | December | Nov–Jan |
| Oklahoma | 50 | May | May–Jun |
| Nebraska | 35 | May | May–Jun |
| Montana | 19 | June | May–Aug |
| Tennessee | 15 | December | Dec–Dec |
| Nevada | 14 | July | May–Sep |
| Utah | 14 | May | Apr–Aug |
| Louisiana | 13 | November | Nov–Dec |
| Wyoming | 11 | May | May–Sep |
| Kansas | 7 | September | Sep–Sep |
| New York | 6 | November | Nov–Dec |
| Massachusetts | 5 | January | Nov–Jan |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Tyrant Flycatchers)
Eastern Phoebe
Black Phoebe
Eastern Kingbird
Say's Phoebe
Western Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Vermilion Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Cassin's Kingbird?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from March to February.
Where is Cassin's Kingbird most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Arizona, New Mexico.