Gray Kingbird
© Adam Kent
Gray Kingbirds are vocal, conspicuous, large-billed songbirds found along the entire Florida coastline between March and October. They are especially easy to find in south Florida, perched on roadside wires or in the tops of trees. From their perches, they wait for large insects (their main prey) to fly by; they also occasionally eat lizards and other small vertebrates, as well as fruit. Typically they are found in mangroves and open, coastal woodlands, but may also be found inland in towns near the coast. Prior to their fall migration, Gray Kingbirds form small flocks before heading south for the winter.
For more information, including a range map and sound recording, visit whatBird.com's Field Guide to Birds of North America.
Recommended GFBWT sites:
- Bahia Honda State Park
- Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
- Coconut Point Park
- Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park
- Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
- Gulf Islands National Seashore: Fort Pickens Area
- Honeymoon Island State Park
- J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge
- Long Key State Park
-
Robert K. Rees Memorial Park (at Green Key)
Bird's habitat
The Gray Kingbird lives in coastal Florida, where it prefers open habitats (fields, open pine forests, etc.).
