Cassin’s Kingbird resembles the widespread Western Kingbird but lacks that species’ white outer tail feathers and features a neat white throat that stands out against a stormy gray head and breast. Where ranges overlap, typically in more open country than Eastern or Cassin's kingbirds. Reading some guides the biggest difference seems to be the white on their tails. Cassin’s Kingbird are increasing, rather dramatically in my opinion. Western Kingbird. Well about a hundred ha. More ID Info. The blackish tail often shows a pale tip, suggesting the white tail tip on the Eastern Kingbird, but not nearly as broad, white, or obvious. Fairly large flycatcher of the Southwest U.S. and western Mexico, barely smaller than a robin. Compared with Western Kingbird, Cassin's has a darker gray head and chest, and clearly defined white throat. Cassin's always has a darker gray head, back and … The call of Cassin's Kingbird is a loud, hoarse "chi-KEER." Reading some guides the biggest difference seems to be the white on their tails. Most similar to Western Kingbird, with a gray head and yellow belly.
The slightly blockier head, strong edgings to the wing coverts, and dark charcoal gray crown (despite being well lit) suggest Cassin's. Cassin's kingbird and the western kingbird are similar in appearance. Cassin's head, throat and bib are the same color medium gray, making the white malar really pop. Quote; Share this post. Cassin's is a little larger than the western and the upper parts are a darker gray than the western. Looking at the kingbird in its entirety should lead us to the conclusion that it is an overexposed, poorly lit Cassin's Kingbird. While the Western Kingbird has a bold edge along the sides of the tail, the Cassin’s has the buffy coloration at the tips of the tail feathers. (Western Kingbird has white outer tail feathers; Cassin's has a white tip to the tail; Tropical and Couch's lack white in the tail and have larger bills.) The Western Kingbird is very similar to and easily confused with Cassin's kingbird, Couch's kingbird and the tropical kingbird, all of which overlap the western kingbird's range to some extent. Possibly it has more need for vocal communication because it lives in denser habitat than most.

Cassin’s Kingbird resembles the widespread Western Kingbird but lacks that species’ white outer tail feathers and features a neat white throat that stands out against a … The western, however, is generally lighter in coloration and can be distinguished from these species by the black squared tail with white outer webs, as well as voice. Cassin’s Kingbird. Yesterday this spot had a western, a Cassin's, and a tropical kingbird. The most distinctive difference between the birds is that the Cassin's has a thin white strip along lower edge of the tail feathers and the western has a thin white strip that runs along the edge of the tail feathers. However, sometimes the birds don't call, and sometimes things are confusing.