Eastern Kingbird

Description: 8-9" blackish head, blue-black mantle and wings, black tail with white terminal band, white below, red feathers in middle of crown, usually concealed, long crown feathers and upright posture	Habitat: Open woodlands, clearings, rural roadsides, farms, orchards, edges of fields, streams, suburbs. Often near water. Perches conspicuously on wires, posts and tops of trees. Common and widespread.
Nesting: 3-5 white spotted eggs in a large bulky nest consisting of twigs, grass, straw, and vine lined with hair and rootlets, on horizontal limbs, and often near water	Range: breeds from Canada south from California to central Texas, winters in tropics
Voice: a sharp dzee or dseet, also a series of harsh and rapid kit and kitter calls	Diet: fruit and insects caught often by hovering and pouncing

Notes: Fearless, often harasses larger birds. Pairs may defend nest vigorously against people. Timing of breeding appears to be related to insect abundance

When present in Oklahoma: present statewide abundantly in summer, scarce in winter