Giant Kingbird

About the Giant Kingbird

The giant kingbird (Tyrannus cubensis) is an endangered species of bird in the tyrant flycatcher family Tyrannidae. It is endemic to Cuba. The giant kingbird was originally assigned the binomial Tyrannus magnirostris in 1839. However, that name had already been used for another species, so by the principle of priority Richmond named it the current Tyrannus cubensis in 1898. The giant kingbird and the grey kingbird (T. dominicensis) are sister species and the pair are probably sister to the tropical kingbird (T. melancholicus).

The giant kingbird is monotypic. The giant kingbird is the largest member of genus Tyrannus. It is 23 to 26 cm (9.1 to 10 in) long and weighs about 94 g (3.3 oz) with a maximum weight of about 108 g (3.8 oz). It is nearly as heavy as the largest tyrant flycatcher, the great shrike-tyrant (Agriornis lividus). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults have a mostly blackish to black head with white cheeks and a partially hidden deep orange or red patch in the center of the crown. Often they have some white on the lores that extends to the forehead. Their upperparts are medium dark gray to sooty gray. Their wings are... Wikipedia →