Musings on Tyrants (no new sightings)

[W. Robert Shade III]

Now that there is a lull in rare bird reports, perhaps there is room for reflecting on my good fortune with the genus Tyrannus  in the last few months. All flycatchers in North America are Tyrannidae but only the kingbirds are in the genus Tyrannus. Micki and I and many of you enjoyed the exciting Tyrannus savana (Fork-tailed Flycatcher) about Oct 22 at Prince Lake #2 in Boulder County (didn't know it was a Tyrannus until then). Then there was the Tyrannus melancholicus (Tropical Kingbird) near the S. Platte Reservoir about Oct 5. For me personally Cassins' Kingbird (T. vociferans) was a new yard bird (#102) on Sep 21, and the original tyrant T. Tyrannus (Eastern Kingbird) was a new yardbird (#101) on Aug 20. Just lacking Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (T. forficatus). 

I assume from the CFO state list that the Fork-tailed will be Colorado #503? Tyrannus trivia from Sibley (I) on pages 334 and 335: "Each Tyrannus species builds a stick nest in the outer branches of a tree." "All species in the genus Tyrannus have an orange or red median crown-stripe usually concealed by the dark crown feathers; the stripe is brightest in adult male and exposed only during displays." Didn't know either trivium! They are "tyrants" who do not tolerate other species (especially larger species like crows) but I did see an Eastern and a Western Kingbird peacefully co-existing in the same bush at Flagler Wildlife Area last May. 

Farewell all Tyrannidae until next spring. Maybe I can add Couch's Kingbird to my ABA list one of these years!

Bob Shade

Lakewood

[Ben S]

With how much the Fork-tailed Flycatched moved around (n. Larimer County to Casper, Casper to Boulder County), I'm keeping my eyes open. The bird must have flown very fast. The spot in Casper he was seen is about 200 miles from Lafeyette, and it traveled there in three weeks. Therefore, I say he (or she) could be anywhere in a 200 mile (or more) radius of Lafayette. This is most of Colorado. Suffice to say, I'm keeping my eyes open. Apparently we have a Thick-billed Kingbird record from 1992. North Dakota just got their first a couple weeks ago, maybe we're do for another one. Also, Gray Kingbirds have been seen as far inland as Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas. It may be stretching it, but maybe we'll get it in Colorado sometime. 

Ben Sampson,

Centennial, CO