Smaller than a warbler or chickadee, this plain green-gray bird has a white eyering and a white bar on the wing. Least Flycatchers are one of the grayish olive flycatchers in the often confusing Empidonax group, but they're one of the easier ones to identify. The Wood-Pewee sings most often at dawn and dusk, and it may continue singing. The kingbirds are a group of large insect-eating birds which prefer to live in semi-open or open areas where they wait on an exposed. An eye-catching bird with ashy gray and lemon-yellow plumage, the Western Kingbird is a familiar summertime sight in open habitats across western North America. Males may attack large hawks that pass too close to the nest or battle rival kingbirds that enter the nesting territory. These grayish brown flycatchers use exposed branches as their stage; they put on quite a good show, sallying back and forth while nabbing flying insects with stunning precision. White, heavily spotted with brown and purple, especially at larger end. From a distance, the Green Heron is a dark, stocky bird hunched on slender yellow legs at the water’s edge, often hidden behind a tangle of leaves. Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus; Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. Males' hindlegs are thinner and hairier with a concave shape. I hope you enjoy viewing my Eastern Kingbird photos. Wilson, pers. Male and female eastern kingbirds form mostly. The average mass of a female northern flicker is typically towards the lower end of the 110 to 160 g (3. The bird’s scientific name translates to “vociferous tyrant,” and it fits this loud, aggressive songbird well. The Eastern Kingbird is classified as a songbird, but it is in its own songbird subgroup that innately. Dream a Little Bigger. A feathered ember in a desert landscape, the male Vermilion Flycatcher is exactly what its name says: a brilliant red bird that hawks flying insects from conspicuous perches on shrub tops and fences. A kingbird was photographed in 2009 defending its young by landing on and. 3. Sign in to see your badges. The male makes a loud, unmis-takable crowing unlikely to be confused with any other bird. It is among the earliest of migrants, bringing hope that spring is at hand. It’s the Eastern Wood-Pewee — or just “pewee” for short — common in leafy forests east of the Rockies. Look for them singing their distinctive song on top of willows and other shrubs. Couch's Kingbird is a large, yellow-and-gray flycatcher that looks nearly identical to the more widespread Tropical Kingbird. Males’ colors include bright red, pink, purple, green, and more. Most of the country drives during an eastern North American summer will turn up a few Eastern Bluebirds sitting on telephone wires or perched atop a nest box, calling out in a short, wavering voice or abruptly dropping to the ground after an insect. Their juveniles seem a little less aggressive than the Western Kingbird juveniles do. On one hand, men are continuously fertile beginning at puberty to almost 100 years of age (though by that time they are physically unable to engage in sexual activities). Eggs whitish to pale buff, with brown spots often concentrated at larger end. The tip is always sharply pointed. Northern Flickers are large, brown woodpeckers with a gentle expression and handsome black-scalloped plumage. The mustard-yellow female is harder to spot, though both sexes have a very distinctive chuckling call note. 7 to 9. These small flycatchers perch on dead branches in the mid-canopy and sally out after flying insects. The bird itself is usually somewhere in the leafy middle story of the trees, perched on a bare twig, darting out to catch passing insects. If you are looking at a male snake’s tail, you may notice these features: A longer length to accommodate the hemipenes. Monogamous pairs are formed after the male performs an elaborate display flight, twisting and flipping through the air. During the breeding season, and also during migration in April and September, a streamside hike through a wooded canyon has a good chance. The eastern kingbird is a common migrant and summer resident throughout Illinois. Seemingly quite tame, it often nests around buildings and bridges where it is easily observed. Note that a female grasshopper has a tapered abdomen. 1 or 2. 5–9. Species names in all available languages; Language Common name; Dutch: Grijze Koningstiran: English: Gray Kingbird: English (United States) Gray Kingbird: FrenchThe Olive-sided Flycatcher whistles an instantly recognizable quick, three beers! across its rugged habitat of coniferous mountain forests, bogs, and muskeg. The western kingbird is a large flycatcher lacking sexual dimorphism. These photos were taken from my kayak on Lake Aeroflex in Andover, New Jersey. Couch's Kingbirds have a slightly greener cast to the upperparts and on balance a shorter bill, but the best way to distinguish the two species is to listen to their calls—Couch's makes a distinctive, grating kip-kip-breeeer. The female lacks this black spot. Listen for its high-pitched twittering calls. Eastern Kingbirds often perch on wires in open areas. Backyard birds in Missouri in summer: Indigo Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, Barn Swallow, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Eastern Kingbird, Eastern Phoebe, Common Yellowthroat, Chipping Sparrow. They sit in the open on low perches to scan for insects, often keeping up a running series of shrill chirps. American Goldfinches spend the breeding season in western Washington, but they also remain in the east of the state all year. These grayish brown flycatchers use exposed branches as their stage; they put on quite a good show, sallying back and forth while nabbing flying insects with stunning precision. Incubation is by both sexes (with male incubating at night), 12-13 days. The female builds the nest on her own, often escorted by the male. ”. Like other flycatchers, kingbirds typically flit gracefully from an exposed perch to snap up flying insects and then immediately return to the same. . The plumage is well defined: black on the upperparts and white on the underparts, and a white band on the terminal tip of the tail feathers. Nest site is usually in burrow in vertical dirt bank; may be bank along running stream, or road cut or similar bank miles from water. Usually 1 brood per year, may raise 2 in southern part of range. [2] It dwells mostly in the treetops and rarely is found on the ground. When a female arrives, male perches next to nest site and sings, often waving his wings. Kelly Colgan Azar Tyrannus tyrannus. 7 oz). Gray King birds may form large communal roosts with as many as 151 individuals in a roost at one time. 3-8. Whitish to bluish white or pale gray, with markings of brown and gray often concentrated at larger end. French. This large flycatcher sallies out to capture flying insects from conspicuous perches on trees or utility lines, flashing a black tail with white edges. Listen for single “pick” or buzzy “breer” calls. It is located in the last third of the tail, towards the tip. Monochrome as it may be, this bird is a familiar favorite throughout its range owing to its. Conversely, a man’s amygdala, associated with the experiencing of emotions and the recollection of such experiences, is bigger than a woman’s. Great Kiskadees are a treat for bird watchers who visit south Texas—and the birds won’t keep you waiting. They sit tall when perched, showing off their partially. What follows are four key elements to enable a successful program. Western Kingbirds are aggressive and will scold and chase intruders (including Red. Paridae species are found throughout the northern hemisphere and Africa, but they’re only called “chickadees” here. Eastern Phoebe’s belong to the boisterous and bossy bird family known as Tyrant Flycatchers. ; found around the edge of dense woodland, especially near the coast. Gray Kingbird. Starting just before sunrise, breeding males perch on tree limbs or wires and give a rising series of sharp kips, culminating in a frantic burst of loud descending notes. The female will incubate the 3-7 speckled whitish eggs while the male protects their territory. 1. Eastern Kingbirds often perch on wires in open areas and either sally out for flying insects. Compared to men, women show higher rates of. You will want to do this, slowly and gently, spinning the probe so that it is slowly moving forward. The male Rose-breasted Grosbeak is often reported at feeders, especially during spring migration. Smaller than a warbler or chickadee, this plain green-gray bird has a white eyering and a white bar on the wing. Male vs. The adult Eastern kingbird has a black body with a white chest and belly. Project FeederWatchAn eye-catching bird with ashy gray and lemon-yellow plumage, the Western Kingbird is a familiar summertime sight in open habitats across western North America. Eastern screech-owl our tiniest owl, with little ears; can be brown or grey. A large, assertive flycatcher with rich reddish-brown accents and a lemon-yellow belly, the Great Crested Flycatcher is a common bird of Eastern woodlands. They nest high up in trees; typically, ten feet or more above the ground. Females are delightful in their own way, subtle gray-brown birds with a warm salmon-red blush to the underparts. (Brush, 1999) Mating System; monogamous; Little is known about the breeding behavior of Couch's kingbirds. Identify a male grasshopper by a rounded abdomen. Long. Eastern Kingbird vs. 8. 46 oz), while males. The bark is smooth and silvery-white when young and becomes hard, gray, and deeply fissured as the tree matures. Though identifying flycatchers can be confusing, pewees are grayer overall, with longer wings, than other flycatchers. Try Merlin. Large, blocky flycatcher with a thick neck and a stout bill. Parent birds work from sunrise to sunset every dayIn Mexico, found in semi-open country, roadsides, forest edges. A flycatcher of wet thickets across northern North America, the Alder Flycatcher is a rather indistinct olive-green bird with bold wingbars and a distinctive, raspy song of free-beer! It’s unusual among Empidonax flycatchers for having only an indistinct pale eyering, a trait it shares with the very similar Willow Flycatcher. Eastern kingbird black-grey above, white below; distinct white band across the tail tip;Eastern kingbird. Use our Bird Guide to identify birds, learn about the life history, listen to the sounds, and watch bird behavior on video--the most comprehensive guide to NortThe male perched on or hovered just above the back of the female for 3 to 5 seconds, before flying off to perch in nearby tree. 19-23. In open country of the west, the Western Kingbird is often seen perched on roadside fences and wires, flying out to snap up insects -- or to harass ravens, hawks, or other large birds that stray too close to the kingbird's nest. The female’s tenacity is just as fiery as the male’s. Tropical Kingbird. 2001), but female success is derived entirely from the production of her nests. There are seven different species of kingbirds in North America. They are relatively strongly. It actually covers most of the country, as well as the. Underparts of both sexes are rusty on throat, breast, and sides, with white on the belly and under the tail feathers. More to Read. Both parents feed nestlings. Juvenile Eastern Kingbird perched on wires. The Gray Kingbird is a large, assertive flycatcher often seen around towns and mangroves in coastal areas. Listen to the sounds the bird makes. Male vs. Red Mulberry (Morus rubra) is usually dioecious (male and female flowers on separate trees), although less often it is monoecious (male and female flowers on the same tree). Look and listen for. Browse Getty Images' premium collection of high-quality, authentic Eastern Kingbird stock photos, royalty-free images, and pictures. It lives. fence rows. Western Kingbirds are aggressive and will scold and chase intruders (including Red. <p>An assertive bird of dry open country, the gray and lemon-yellow Cassin's Kingbird hunts flying insects from high perches. The olive-brown Eastern Wood-Pewee is inconspicuous until it opens its bill and gives its unmistakable slurred call: pee-a-wee!—a characteristic sound of Eastern summers. Adult: black head blends to slate gray back; central. Northern Rough-winged Swallow. An average of 4 naked and blind kits are born after 5–6 weeks of gestation. May breed in open grassland with no trees in some areas, where utility poles provide artificial nest sites. Open woodlands throughout the West come alive when Western Wood-Pewees return for the summer. The female and male red-winged blackbird’s feeding rates are independent. Many would say the bald eagle is the king of birds but when it comes to attitude, actions and name the small songbird attacking this eagle is both King and Tyrant. Meanwhile, the more estrogen a woman has, the wider her face, fuller her lips and. Great Kiskadees are a treat for bird watchers who visit south Texas—and the birds won’t keep you waiting. With dark gray upperparts and a neat white tip to the tail, the Eastern Kingbird looks like it’s wearing a business suit. Browse Species in This Family. During breeding season, males put their extra-long plumes to different use: A male will fly to heights of up to 100 feet, then descend in a series of short, V-shaped zigzags while opening and closing his long “scissor. 5 g (1. The female makes the final decision about where to nest. Bluebirds aren’t different enough in size to be noticeable to the eye. Both male and female starlings bills are predominantly yellow, but male bills have a blue-ish base, whereas the female's bill base is pinkish. Bird's Nesting Box : Here's a plan for a nesting box that will keep your backyard birds cozy all winter. Black Phoebes use mud to build cup-shaped nests against walls, overhangs, culverts, and bridges. It is the most widespread member of the Myiarchus in North America, and is found over most of the eastern and mid-western portions of the continent. They will attack humans, livestock, and pets when they think their young are in danger. Similar looking birds to Black Phoebe: Say's Phoebe , Eastern Kingbird , Eastern Phoebe , Dark-eyed Junco , Dark-eyed Junco. Sturdy flycatcher with a black head and blackish back. Addressing Ben Crowell's comment (you may be seeing two species): From Wikipedia, Eastern Chipmunk. These grayish brown flycatchers use exposed branches as their stage; they put on quite a good show, sallying back and forth while nabbing flying insects with stunning precision. The nest is a compact cup of grass, plant fiber, feathers, and hair in a spider-web frame, at varying heights from the ground. Basic Description. Incubation is by female only, about 15-16 days. Nests are built high in trees in open habitats. But women and girls may be affected more than these. A female grasshopper's abdomen looks like a tube. Gray Kingbird. More to Read. English (United States) Eastern Kingbird. Hens bear less colorful feathers than males, with rusty brown, white or gray-tipped breast feathers. 6, 1/320 Steve Rushing's gear list: Steve. The Western Kingbird catches insects in the air but. Contrary to its name, the eastern kingbird can be seen in the skies. Each male flower consists of 4 light green sepals and 4 stamens; there are no petals. 29. The body size of this kingbird is similar to that of its cousin, the eastern kingbird. Monogamous pairs are formed after the male performs an elaborate display flight, twisting and flipping through the air. It is a relatively large flycatcher, often perching. Wings are black with noticeable white wing bars. They sit tall when perched, showing off their partially buttoned gray vest while. Cassin’s. The male Black Swallowtail Butterfly has a row of large yellow-colored spots across the middle of its wings which are more dominant than on the female. Looking at the grasshopper's abdomen is the most definitive way to determine its sex. Look for white tail tip. Females lay 2 to 5 cream colored eggs with reddish spots. Acadian flycatcher. In winter, this bird feeds on weedy seeds. 1-6. Male cones of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta subsp. Young leave the nest after about 12 days, before they are able to fly, and are tended by parents for at least another 2 weeks. Ash-throated Flycatcher. Square-tipped, black tail. Gonads. Listen for the male’s sharp song and call note, given frequently during the first few weeks of nesting. The eastern bluebird is a small thrush with a plump body and short, straight bill. The svelte and speedy little Bank Swallow zips through the air with quick twists and buzzy wingbeats. Male may make more feeding visits than female. The Bald Eagle was sitting in this dead tree on the water, and an Eastern Kingbird took offense to the infraction into its territory. The male (staminate) flowers occur in drooping catkins about 1½-2" long. Incubation is by female, about 13-15 days. Bird Cams Bird Cams FAQ: Red. Also, its has a white-tipped black tail. The female and male red-winged blackbird’s feeding rates are independent. In courtship, male flies after female, spreading the white feathers under the base of his tail so that they are prominently displayed. These flycatchers swoop after flying insects and may crash. That feature is very prominent on Bank Swallow as the above photo shows, but is absent on other swallows and kingbirds. We noticed that a small bird continuously dive-bombed the eagle. 10. There it is numerous in summer, mainly along the coasts, less common toward the north. The buoyant, flutelike melody of the Western Meadowlark ringing out across a field can brighten anyone’s day. Gender is often defined as a social construct of norms, behaviors and roles that varies between societies and over time. Dot repeated her performance in the springs and summers of 2014, 2015, and 2016, producing three, two, and two fledglings, respectively (S. Side-blotched lizards are lizards of the genus Uta. The male may even begin multiple nests to entice a female. 0 — Published. 5 in (12-14 cm) Weight: 0. , (1966). Despite its plain appearance, this flycatcher is often a favorite among eastern birdwatchers. 1% Spot-breasted Oriole <0. The female has a buffy throat and breast, a grayish-blue head and back with light blue wings, and a tail. Most of the country drives during an eastern North American summer will turn up a few Eastern Bluebirds sitting on telephone wires or perched atop a nest box, calling out in a short, wavering voice or abruptly dropping to the ground after an insect. Females are variable in color, ranging from pale dull yellow to brighter orange. These differences between male and female Eastern Bluebirds are. Olive-sided Flycatchers are vigorous defenders of their. When and Where to Find in Washington. In Pacific Northwest, 9-10 eggs, sometimes 7-12, a remarkably large clutch for small size of bird. Compare with Eastern. The female builds the nest on her own, often escorted by the male. Courting males puff themselves into feathery balls and fill the air with exuberant gobbling. It can be seen in open country, woodland clearings, orchards, farms, roadsides,. Related to the familiar Eastern Phoebe of. Try Merlin. It measures 23 cm (9. Western Kingbird. These birds are small, round, with a small head and a short bill. An elegant gray and salmon-pink flycatcher festooned with an absurdly long tail, the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher is the bird to look for on fence wires in the south-central United States. Moderate. Backyard birds in Nebraska in summer: Mourning Dove, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Barn Swallow, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Wren, Eastern Kingbird, Western Meadowlark, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Chipping sparrow, Red-headed Woodpecker, Yellow Warbler, Gray Catbird, Common Yellowthroat. Mockingbirds both sing and call to one another. They build their nests out of twigs, sticks. Males often have a more angular, masculine-shaped head than females. Couch's Kingbird juvenal wingtip. Orchard Orioles often gather in flocks during migration. Length 7. Common and familiar throughout eastern North America, wintering as far south as southern Mexico. Both male and female are similar in appearance. Females lay 2 to 5 cream colored eggs with reddish spots. Both male and female participate in nest defense, but females may stay on well-hidden nests longer. The eggs look to be a pinkish-warm buff. The white band at the tip of the tail is a good field mark for this species. Brash and noisy, the Thick-billed Kingbird perches high in streamside sycamores, fluttering its wings as it gives voice to incredibly loud metallic calls that echo through the canyons. Definitely clue in on the long wings and short bill when trying to differentiate swallows from other bird families. Their small size, bold white eyering, and distinctive chebec song set them apart. Men have a single X (from their mother) and the male-specific Y (from their father). Hammond's Flycatcher. I think the Eastern Kingbird juveniles look pretty snazzy with their black and white plumage. The young fledge after about 18 days, but parents typically continue to feed the young for several weeks after. For comparison purposes, here is the mystery kingbird from Livingston Co. Eastern Kingbirds lay 3 to 5 eggs which hatch in 16 to 18 days. Especially while nesting, these birds also chase people, dogs, cats, and other predators. Monochrome as it may be, this bird is a familiar favorite. Adult eastern kingbirds have black on the head and dark gray on the back. Females generally weigh up to 10 ounces. legs are very short. Everywhere else they’re called—wait for it—tits. Concave or flat plastron. They forage in groups, scurrying between cover or bursting into flight if alarmed. Ash-throated flycatcher. The Swallows were cleaning out the nest and adding their own flair. And this big-headed, broad-shouldered bird does mean business—just watch one harassing crows, Red-tailed Hawks, Great Blue Herons, and other birds that pass over its territory. It favors open areas with scattered groves of trees, so human activities may have helped it in some areas, opening up the eastern woodlands and planting groves of trees on the prairies. Tyrannus tyrannus is a large Tyrant flycatcher. Usually seen singly or in pairs in relatively. Eyes open at week 5, and young are weaned at week 8. The female typically builds. This husky, barrel-chested flycatcher is the largest of the pewees, with heavy grayish markings on the sides as if the bird is wearing a waistcoat. Square vs. Browse Species in This Family. Eastern Kingbird Range Map, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology Compare with Similar Species Click on an image to compare Eastern Wood-Pewee Eastern Phoebe. Coloration: Eastern Bluebirds (Male vs Female) Close-up Eastern Bluebird (male); (Sialia sialis) perched on branch vocalizing; Eastern bluebird (female) close-up perched on branch; Eastern Bluebird perched on branch-second one flies in then flies off another one seen on right then both take flight; Coloration: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Female. A large, assertive flycatcher with rich reddish-brown accents and a lemon-yellow belly, the Great Crested Flycatcher is a common bird of Eastern woodlands. It is more easily heard than seen, its. 7 in (13-17 cm) Weight: 0. Try Merlin. 0 to 1. The male trees bear brown, pollen-bearing cones on the branch tips. Length. 8 oz). The first thing to do is to figure out if the baby bird is a nestling or a fledgling. Male bumblebees do not collect pollen as the females do. Though they barely reach the southwestern. This is generally a monogamous species, and pairs form long-term bonds, sometimes mating for life. Young: Both parents feed nestlings. Open woodlands throughout the West come alive when Western Wood-Pewees return for the summer. The average nest height. Both sexes of this species sport a reddish-orange crown. Square-tipped, black tail. Similar looking birds to Scissor-tailed Flycatcher: Eastern Kingbird , Western Kingbird Similar Species to Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology Photos comparing this bird species with similar or confusing species, including captions that point out specific differences to help confirm identification. Gray Kingbird. Willow Flycatchers are drab brownish-olive birds that are best known for their voice—a sneezy fitz-bew that emanates from wet willow thickets across North America. Male eastern bluebirds are slightly smaller, have a brighter blue plumage, and participate in the feeding of bluebird chicks. Eastern Kingbird. Best of all, its gentle tail-wagging habit and soft fee-bee song make the Phoebe. Of the dozen or more maddeningly similar species in the Empidonax genus, the cheery Acadian Flycatcher is the common one of mature forests of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic U. As well, “a 2014 study of 284 men and boys in college and high school found that 43 percent reported being sexually coerced, with the. Scientific Name: Tyrannus tyrannus; Length: 7. The bill serves as an indicator of the overall health of the bird – the more saturated with orange a bill is, the higher the. The larger of two look alikes, the Hairy Woodpecker is a small but powerful bird that forages along trunks and main branches of large trees. cm inch. Unlike those two, however, it is not nearly as evenly distributed across the state, being quite numerous. In early stages of courtship, male frequently chases female. 0 — Published. As with many Empidonax flycatchers, voice is the best way to find and identify Western Flycatchers. Because male or female Eastern Kingbirds are almost similar and therefore have no variation in feathers’ colors or body structure, it’s tough to tell them apart. with a sooty black body and crisp white belly. C. Nest is a. The name kingbird is derived from their "take-charge" behavior. Eastern Kingbirds are known to have three nestlings at a time, and incubation is mostly or entirely done by the female. Couch's Kingbird juvenal wingtip. Eastern Kingbird Life History, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology Compare with Similar Species Click on an image to compare Eastern Wood-Pewee Eastern Phoebe. 1 in ; Weight: 1. Chipping Sparrow – juvenile . [8] The upperparts are gray, with brownish wings and tail, and the underparts are white with a gray tinge to the chest. Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus; Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. When singing, the mockingbird produces a complex series of notes and sounds. This large flycatcher sallies out to capture flying insects from conspicuous perches on trees or utility lines, flashing a black tail with white edges. They generally measure 6. With dark gray upperparts and a neat white tip to the tail, the Eastern Kingbird looks like it’s wearing a business suit. Others are more difficult to detect. Try Merlin. It is an inky black bird with a sharp white stripe on its black face, fine black barring on the flanks, and, in males, a yellow crown patch. Monotypic. Young: Both parents feed nestlings. Brown-crested flycatcher. With dark gray upperparts and a neat white tip to the tail, the Eastern Kingbird looks like it’s wearing a business suit. Similar looking birds to Scissor-tailed Flycatcher: Eastern Kingbird , Western Kingbird Similar Species to Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology Photos comparing this bird species with similar or confusing species, including captions that point out specific differences to help confirm identification. The phoebe’s a little. The eastern phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) is a small passerine bird. Male frogs are the ones who seem to croak at night without stopping. Though identifying flycatchers can be confusing, pewees are grayer overall, with. Robins are popular birds for their warm orange breast, cheery song, and early appearance at the end of winter. Most young are weaned by 3 months, stay with the family a few more months, and are able to breed during the next year. Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus Scientific name definitions. Violet-green Swallow. The female usually lays 3 or 4 eggs, and she does the majority of the incubation. These brown-and-white songbirds sit upright and wag their tails from prominent, low perches. They have a strongly undulating flight pattern, and they can be easily identified in. They sally from low perches to snatch insects in midair or pounce on them on the ground. Western Kingbird adult male wingtip. Calhoun, Sec'y of War: under the command of Major Stephen H. Bluebirds can be found in rural gardens, orchards, and suburban gardens near open farmland. With a good eye, you may be able to differentiate between males and females based on size. Also compare with. Kiskadees sit out in the open and attract attention with incessant kis-ka-dee calls and sallying flights. May breed in open grassland with no trees in some areas, where utility poles provide artificial nest sites. S. Large headed and heavy billed like other kingbirds, the Gray Kingbird has ashy gray upperparts that grade into dark gray-brown wings and tail, with the hint of a dark mask through the eyes. Young. Young: Both parents feed the nestlings. [4] 4.