Gray Kingbird

Gray Kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis) is in the Tyrant Flycatchers family (Tyrannidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,252 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 Gray Kingbird: observations by month (U.S.)

About Gray Kingbird

The gray kingbird or grey kingbird, also known as pitirre, petchary, or white-breasted kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis) is a passerine bird. It breeds from the extreme southeast of the United States, mainly in Florida, through Central America, from Cuba to Puerto Rico as well as eastward towards all across the Lesser West Indies, south to Venezuela, Trinidad, Tobago, the Guiana, and Colombia. Northern populations are migratory, wintering on the Caribbean coast of Central America and northern South...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Gray 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