Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) is in the Tyrant Flycatchers family (Tyrannidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 49,192 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Eastern Kingbird: observations by month (U.S.)
About Eastern Kingbird
The eastern kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) is a large tyrant flycatcher native to the Americas. The bird is predominantly dark gray with white underbelly and pointed wings. Eastern kingbirds are conspicuous and are commonly found in open areas with scattered trees and bushes, where they perch while foraging for insects. The Eastern kingbird is migratory, with its breeding range spread across North America and its wintering range in Central and South America.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Eastern Kingbird by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 5,258 | April | Apr–May |
| Illinois | 3,124 | May | May–Aug |
| Ohio | 2,944 | May | May–Aug |
| Maryland | 2,393 | May | May–Aug |
| Massachusetts | 2,327 | May | May–Aug |
| New York | 2,127 | May | May–Aug |
| Virginia | 1,935 | May | Apr–Aug |
| Pennsylvania | 1,921 | May | May–Aug |
| Minnesota | 1,716 | May | May–Aug |
| Michigan | 1,671 | May | May–Aug |
| Wisconsin | 1,618 | May | May–Aug |
| Florida | 1,280 | April | Apr–Jun |
| Louisiana | 1,189 | April | Apr–May |
| New Jersey | 1,180 | May | May–Aug |
| Vermont | 1,153 | May | May–Aug |
| North Carolina | 1,104 | May | Apr–Aug |
| Tennessee | 1,058 | May | Apr–Jul |
| Colorado | 995 | May | May–Aug |
| Nebraska | 813 | May | May–Jul |
| Montana | 800 | June | May–Aug |
| Missouri | 797 | May | May–Jul |
| Georgia | 771 | May | Apr–Aug |
| Indiana | 756 | May | May–Jul |
| Arkansas | 735 | May | Apr–Aug |
| Oklahoma | 721 | May | Apr–Jul |
| Washington | 720 | June | May–Aug |
| Alabama | 711 | April | Apr–Jun |
| South Carolina | 637 | May | Apr–Aug |
| Kansas | 595 | May | May–Jul |
| Iowa | 528 | May | May–Aug |
| South Dakota | 513 | May | May–Aug |
| Delaware | 509 | May | May–Aug |
| New Hampshire | 507 | July | May–Aug |
| Mississippi | 465 | April | Apr–Jul |
| Maine | 445 | May | May–Aug |
| Idaho | 384 | June | May–Aug |
| Connecticut | 380 | May | May–Aug |
| Utah | 348 | May | May–Aug |
| Kentucky | 347 | May | Apr–Jul |
| North Dakota | 346 | June | May–Aug |
| District of Columbia | 302 | May | May–Aug |
| Oregon | 266 | June | May–Aug |
| Wyoming | 201 | July | May–Aug |
| West Virginia | 185 | May | May–Aug |
| California | 165 | September | Sep–Sep |
| Rhode Island | 134 | May | May–Jul |
| New Mexico | 70 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Arizona | 32 | September | Sep–Sep |
| Alaska | 8 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Nevada | 8 | August | Aug–Aug |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Tyrant Flycatchers)
Eastern Phoebe
Black Phoebe
Say's Phoebe
Western Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Vermilion Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Wood-Pewee
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 Eastern Kingbird?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from April to August.
Where is Eastern Kingbird most often seen?
The most observations come from Texas, Illinois, Ohio.