Couch's Kingbird

Couch's Kingbird (Tyrannus couchii) is in the Tyrant Flycatchers family (Tyrannidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,086 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: spring and fall migrant. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

When to photograph Couch's Kingbird: observations by month (U.S.)

About Couch's Kingbird

Couch's kingbird (Tyrannus couchii) is a passerine tyrant flycatcher of the kingbird genus. It is found from southern Texas along the Gulf Coast to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, Belize and northern Guatemala. It is also found in the lower stretches of the Rio Grande river valley, locally named Rio Grande Valley.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Couch's Kingbird by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related birds (Tyrant Flycatchers)

Eastern PhoebeSayornis phoebe

Black PhoebeSayornis nigricans

Eastern KingbirdTyrannus tyrannus

Say's PhoebeSayornis saya

Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalis

Scissor-tailed FlycatcherTyrannus forficatus

Vermilion FlycatcherPyrocephalus rubinus

Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitus

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