Western Kingbirds: Grey and Yellow Flycatchers near Regina

Fencepost with Western Kingbird  © SB

Today, a few pictures of Western Kingbirds — attractive yellow and grey flycatchers.

At this time of year, I've taken to calling them grid road birds, because that's where I see usually Western Kingbirds in Saskatchewan.

(Yes, right on the gravel, looking for bugs. My photographs, though, show them on fences and trees, as that's where the Western Kingbirds fly when I drive by.)

The first time I noticed Western Kingbirds, I was surprised by how bright their lemony yellow bellies are. And for me, that's their most noticeable characteristic. The bird guides, though, also talk about their white tail edges — which may disappear when worn, as well as their robin-like flight, dark lores, and short, square-tipped tails.

Western Kingbird on barbed wire, showing off its white tail feathers © SB

Western Kingbird on alert, waiting for me to drive on by. © SB

What are these bird? Western Kingbirds.

Location: Around Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada  

Photo date: First photograph, July 31, 2013; second, June 29, 2012; third, July 26, 2012.

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