This flycatcher resembles a darker version of Western Kingbird, lacks white on outer tail feathers. The head and breast are dark gray, with a black mask through the eye and a conspicuous white malar. (From a distance, it looks like the bird is carrying a cotton ball in its bill). The back is dark olive. The wings are dark brown with pale feather edges. These light edges are most obvious in fresh spring plumage, and may be lost by autumn. The tail is blackish brown with a thin pale tip. The belly, undertail coverts, and underwing coverts are bright yellow, contrasting sharply with the gray breast. Juvenile has more brownish upperparts. Can be separated from Western Kingbird by darker gray head and breast, darker lemon yellow belly and undertail, and lack of white on the sides of the tail.

Length: 21 (cm) Wingspan: 38 (cm)

Voice:

Call is a sharp ki-Deer or chi-Beer. Song is a series of beer notes, rising in pitch and volume.

Habitat:

Open woodlands, riparian woods, grassland and scrub with scattered trees.

Behavior:

Like other kingbirds, aggressively defends nest sites from predators and other birds. Forms large roosts on wintering grounds, often in association with other kingbird species.

Feeding:

Flycatches from exposed branches, wires, fences.