Couch's Kingbird (Tyrannus couchii), Texas Canyon, Cochise County

This Couch's Kingbird was found by Barry Zimmer and photographed by Arlene Ripley on 23 January 2015

There are three accepted records of this species west of the Continental Divide: one from Arizona, one from New Mexico, and one from California. One was also discovered in Nevada this winter.

This and Tropical Kingbird are distinguished from Western and Cassin's kingbirds by a larger bill, white throat, green breast, and lack of white in a strongly notched tail. Identification of Tropical and Couch's kingbirds is based primarily on vocalizations, and this bird was heard giving diagnostic calls of Couch's Kingbird by Laurens Halsey on January 24. On average, Couch's is brighter and shorter-billed than Tropical.

23 January 0015, photo by Arlene Ripley

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