Tyrannus couchii
Couch's kingbird
(Also: Couch's kingbird)

Couch’s kingbirds range from the mid-Texas coast and Tamaulipas south along eastern Mexico into the entire Yucatan Peninsula including Belize and northern Guatemala. There is some winter withdrawal from the northern part of the range, in Texas and Tamaulipas. (Howell and Webb, 1995; Traylor, 1979; Wood and Paulson, 1988)

Couch’s kingbirds are found in scrubby woodland, forests and forest edges, plantations, savannas, hedges, and fencerows. In Yucatan they are common in scrubby interior forest and uncommon in arid beach scrub. (Howell and Webb, 1995; Martin, Robins, and Heed, 1954)

Couch’s kingbirds are medium-sized flycatchers. Plumage features include a gray head that is paler on the chin and throat and dark lores and auriculars, which form a slightly contrasting mask that is widest behind the eye. A reddish-orange patch on top of the head is frequently concealed unless raised. The breast is dull yellow with some dusky olive plumage. The belly is bright lemon yellow, becoming more faded on the undertail coverts. The back and scapulars are olive-brown and the wings are brownish. The tail is dark brown with a slight notch. The eye, bill, legs, and feet are black. The bill is large and flattened, proportionally large for the head. Sexes are similar in plumage but can discerned in hand by the presence of a cloacal protuberance in males (poorly developed), or a brood patch in females from March to August. Juveniles are similar to adults, but their coloration tends to be more drab and they have buffy edges to the wing and upper tail coverts. (Brush, 1999; Pyle, 1997; Sibley, 2000)

Couch’s kingbirds are similar to tropical kingbirds (Tyrannus melancholicus); they are nearly indistinguishable in the field. There are subtle differences in a few plumage and structural features that can be observed in the hand or with specimens. Some plumage differences include a slightly more greenish cast on the back in T. couchii compared to T. melancholicus, which is more grey-brown. Tropical kingbirds also have slightly more greenish tones to the breast. Two notable physical differences are bill size and primary length. Couch's kingbirds have shorter, wider, and deeper bills than tropical kingbirds. Couch's kingbirds also have a shallow notch in the tail, as compared to tropical kingbirds. While these features can be suggestive in the field, they are not dependable field marks. (Howell and Webb, 1995; Pyle, 1997; Traylor, 1979)

No information about longevity is available from the literature. However, other Tyrannus species have been reported living over 11 years in the wild.

Couch's kingbirds are primarily observed either flying or perching. No other forms of locomotion are cited in literature. Couch's kingbirds are strong fliers and are able to maneuver in fairly dense foliage. They fly with stiffer wingbeats when on their breeding territory, similar to other Tyrannus species. Couch's kingbirds stay active during the heat of the day more than other bird species in south Texas. As with other Tyrannus species, Couch's kingbirds are aggressive towards other birds and mammals, mostly towards perceived predators or intruders into breeding territory. They will attack and strike raptors on the back with their bills. They may form loose migratory flocks with only limited aggressive behavior. (Brush, 1999)

Home Range

Territory size is not known, but averaged 5.3 territories in an 8-ha study plot in south Texas. Couch's kingbirds maintain territory only during the breeding season. They are more vigorous in defending territory earlier in the breeding season. Territories are most likely maintained by aggressive behavior and dawn songs. (Brush and Cantu, 1998; Brush, 1999; Smith, 1966)

Development of vocalizations is most likely innate and not learned. Calls of fledglings are recognizable as Couch’s kingbirds. The song is nasal, with slow phrasing and spacing and pauses between notes. It has been described as a breezy "breeer." Other calls are a longer "burry" phrase, or single "dik" or "kip" notes. Calls are given year-round, though birds are more likely to be silent during winter. (Brush, 1999; Sibley, 2000; Smith, 1966)

During greetings between mates or interactions with other kingbirds, the reddish-orange spot on the head is often raised. (Brush, 1999)

Foraging and food item selection is poorly understood in Couch's kingbirds. The diet probably consists primarily of flying insects; Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Orthoptera, and Diptera have been documented. Some fruits and berries are also eaten, especially in fall and winter. Probably other non-insect arthropods are also consumed to some extent. Unidentified Couch's or tropical kingbirds in Texas have been observed taking small lizards as prey items (Haas pers. obs.). (Brush, 1999; Kaufman, 1996)

Foraging habitats include treetops, forest clearings, and openings in or close to woodlands. Couch's kingbirds take fruit from trees and vines, but generally avoid dense foliage. Insect prey is captured almost entirely by hawking, in which kingbirds fly from perches to capture flying insects. Flight distances are usually 3 to 15 m, occasionally 25 to 30 m. Individuals usually return to the original perch after flight. They occasionally hover-glean and perch-glean for both insects and fruit, and they have been recorded swooping down on prey items located on the ground. (Brush, 1999; Kaufman, 1996)

No predators are reported in the literature. Birds of prey are major predators of other Tyrannus species. Fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) may be nest predators in southern Texas. (Brush, 1999; Stouffer and Chesser, 1998)

There is no reference in the literature to parasites of Couch’s kingbirds, although several are noted in tropical kingbirds (T. melancholicus). They are often found in mixed species flocks of other medium-sized passerines and other frugivorous species during winter in south Texas and Tamaulipas. Altamira orioles (Icterus gularis) are known to nest in the same trees as Couch’s kingbirds and may benefit from the aggressive behavior of kingbirds towards intruding bronzed cowbirds (Molothrus aeneus, which are brood parasites) and great-tailed grackles (Quiscalus mexicanus, which are nest predators). Bronzed cowbirds are known brood parasites of Couch’s kingbirds. Adult kingbirds have been observed feeding bronzed cowbird fledglings, suggesting that kingbirds do raise cowbird hatchlings. However, Couch’s kingbirds will chase bronzed cowbirds from nesting sites and will eject cowbird eggs laid in a nest. Couch's kingbirds undoubtedly facilitate passive seed dispersal from consumption of fruits. (Brush, 1998; Brush, 1999; Rupert and Boyd, 1992)

There are no known negative effects of this species on humans. (Brush, 1999)

Couch's kingbirds are sought after by birders and other eco-tourists. They may provide some benefits as consumers of insect pests on commercial crops.

Couch's kingbird populations are considered stable currently.

Tyrannus couchii was originally considered a subspecies of T. melancholicus. The species were separated by Traylor in 1979 when morphological studies separated the various populations into two discrete groups: one that had short bills with long 5th primaries (T. couchii), and one with longer bills and shorter 5th primaries (T. melancholicus). The two species are also allopatric and use different songs for attracting mates. (Smith, 1966; Traylor, 1979)