Eastern kingbird on snowberry bush


Although eastern kingbirds are tyrant flycatchers that eat a tremendous amount of insects, they also are fond of berries.  I photographed this one on a snowberry bush and saw it throwing a few down as it rested.  Apparently, they tend to increase their berry diet as summer progresses and when they migrate they may rely on them almost entirely.

Eastern kingbirds can be found right across the country, finding their way right to the Pacific Ocean.  Western kingbirds, on the other hand, range eastwards from the Pacific towards mid-continent but no further.  You will find eastern kingbirds in Ontario, but not western kingbirds.  Much of the ranges of the two species overlap; I have seen photos of both species taken by the same photographer at the same location.

One of my absolute best photos is of an eastern kingbird holding a dragonfly and feeding it to a nest full of young.  You can see the photo and blog here.

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com

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