The Western Kingbird is the most common and widespread kingbird in the West, found on telephone wires and fence posts across open country from the Pacific Coast to the Great Plains. Its bright yellow belly, gray head, and black tail with white edges are distinctive. Like all kingbirds it fiercely defends its territory against much larger birds, including hawks.
Best time to see a Western Kingbird
The best time to see a Western Kingbird is April–June, when about 70% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 31,449 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Western Kingbird? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Western Kingbird sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
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