Tropical Kingbird

Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus) is in the Tyrant Flycatchers family (Tyrannidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,882 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in October.

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 Tropical Kingbird: observations by month (U.S.)

About Tropical Kingbird

The tropical kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus) is a large tyrant flycatcher. This bird breeds from southern Arizona and the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas in the United States through Central America, South America as far as south as central Argentina and eastern Peru, and on Trinidad and Tobago. Birds from the northernmost and southern breeding areas migrate to warmer parts of the range after breeding.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Tropical 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