Bird of the week 2023 | Week 39

Eastern kingbird [MichaelWarren.com]

Eastern kingbird

The tyrant flycatchers, including the eastern kingbird, are named for their tyrannical behavior toward other birds. To protect their territory they’ll attack, harass, and dive-bomb much larger birds including hawks and crows. They breed in our area in the summer and spend winters in the Amazon. This one was patrolling its fence line at the Sunnyhill Restoration Area along the Ocklawaha River.