Tropical Kingbirds appear to be monogamous. In most parts of the species’ range, they are permanent residents and remain together in pairs year-round. As the nesting season approaches, males give soft calls, flutter the wings, and point the bill toward the ground, sometimes flying out in a butterfly-like flight. Such displays resemble courtship but in established pairs are likely means of maintaining pair bonds. Where they are permanent residents, Tropical Kingbirds do not often attack others of their species, but in the northern and southern extremes of the range, migratory birds must establish nesting territories as they return from wintering areas. At this time, conflicts between males are very common in migratory populations, involving either threat displays (crown raising, stretching the body toward the opponent) or chases in the air. Like other kingbirds, Tropical Kingbirds are aggressive toward all sorts of bird species that come too near a nest: from warblers, orioles, and other flycatchers to anis and woodpeckers. However, many accounts mention that Tropical Kingbirds nest close to many other flycatcher species, including kingbirds, without conflicts. Females build the nest and incubate the eggs, and both adults provision the chicks with food.
Photographer: Dave Saunders