Aptly named Tyrannus tyrannus, these birds are related to Phoebes and truly are tyrants! Relatively large members of the Flycatcher family, Kingbirds are fearless and have been known to attack large hawks -- and even airplanes! Yet a fully grown Kingbird is only about eight inches long, slightly smaller than a robin.

Kingbirds eat mostly insects and some berries. They usually nest near water. Eastern Kingbirds winter in Central and South America.

These three Kingbirds were rescued from a pond when their nest fell into the water. Weak and waterlogged when admitted to us, they were successfully rehabilitated and released. Directly upon release from the aviary, one of these young Kingbirds immediately raced toward a distant Crow in flight, and drove it completely out of the area!