NeoVista Birds and Wildlife: Western Kingbirds Breed Abundantly in Utah

I couldn't believe what I was seeing the first time I noticed a Western Kingbird about four years ago. I couldn't believe I had lived in Utah for so many years without noticing such a colorful and fascinating bird. However, after seeing them in abundance the first year I noticed them I stopped lifting my binoculars and camera lens for them--they became commonplace. That changed a couple of years ago when I noticed we had a family of Western Kingbirds nesting on a power pole near our home. I've now watched a couple of generations come from the same nest and they are back again this spring.

Western Kingbirds come up from Central America to breed across the western United States during the spring and summer months--about May through the end of August/early September. They leave their breeding grounds relatively early and are generally not seen in the western states from about mid-September through early May. They tend to be seen around farms, meadows, and along fence rows near dry open fields with scattered trees and bushes. They also show up in urban areas with open spaces. They are members of the flycatcher family and are often seen hunting insects from fences and small bushes and trees along roadsides. They are about 9 inches long with a wingspan of about 16 inches. They have gray heads and chests, thick dark bills, yellow bellies, and dark tails with white edges. They can be aggressive and often harass large raptors.

Below is a selection of my favorite images showing these birds in various situations. I'll add a few comments between images. The first one was taken under cloudy skies so the detail isn't as strong as I like, but I love the pose, the nice yellow belly, and a common perch--on a fence near open fields loaded with insects.

Western Kingbird in Utah County, UT (Photo by Jeff Cooper)

Below are two images of a family of Western Kingbirds at their nest site near my home. I believe it is the same pair using the nest each year. As I was watching and photographing these birds the parents were catching wasps, bees, and grasshoppers and bringing them to their young ones. The parent below (with the longer tail) was passing food to the young ones (shorter tails).

Another Generation of Western Kingbirds From My Neighborhood Nest in Pleasant Grove, UT
(Photo by Jeff Cooper)

This bird was focused on some insect activity below its perch. I like the curious and focused look of the bird.

Western Kingbird in Utah County, UT (Photo by Jeff Cooper)

The next group of images attempts to capture these fascinating birds in flight while carrying food toward a nearby nest. All of their typical field marks from head to tail can be seen in the images.

Western Kingbird in Utah County, UT (Photo by Jeff Cooper)

Western Kingbird Carrying Food (bee) to Young in Nest--Highland, UT (Photo by Jeff Cooper)

Here is one of the young waiting for the parents to bring it a nice juicy bee or insect.

Fledgling Western Kingbird Near Nest in Highland, UT (Photo by Jeff Cooper)

I looked down at the grass below me as I observed the hunting and feeding behavior of the birds above. I quickly saw what was a great food source for these birds. Clovers were abundant in the grass and bees were busy among the clover.