General

Gray Kingbird: Large flycatcher with gray upperparts, black mask, inconspicuous red crown patch, and mostly white underparts with pale yellow wash on belly and undertail coverts. Bill is long and black. Wings and notched tail are dark. Sexes are similar.

Range and Habitat

Gray Kingbird: This species breeds in coastal regions of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, the northern edge of the Gulf coast, and the West Indies. Spends winters in the tropics of Central and South America. Preferred habitats include coastal areas, including mangrove thickets and small groves of palms or oaks.

Breeding and Nesting

Gray Kingbird: Three to five pink to buff eggs with brown, lavender, and gray marks are laid in a flimsy cup nest made of grass, twigs, and roots, and built on a horizontal branch 4 to 50 feet above the ground. Incubation ranges from 16 to 18 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Gray Kingbird: Catches flying insects low over water surface; sometimes catches food on the ground or in foliage. Sometimes hovers briefly when foraging for insects, fruits, berries, and small lizards.

Vocalization

Gray Kingbird: Call is an insect-like "peCheer-ry" with accent on a second syllable. Also gives a harsh, trill "trii-ill-ill-it."

Similar Species

Gray Kingbird: Eastern Kingbird has a smaller bill, rounded black tail with white terminal band, black head without mask, white underparts with gray wash across breast, and different voice.