Giant Kingbird

The giant kingbird is the largest member of genus Tyrannus. It is 23 to 26 cm (9.1 to 10 in) long and weighs about 94 g (3.3 oz) with a maximum weight of about 108 g (3.8 oz). It is nearly as heavy as the largest tyrant flycatcher, the great shrike-tyrant (Agriornis lividus). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults have a mostly blackish to black head with white cheeks and a partially hidden deep orange or red patch in the center of the crown. Often they have some white on the lores that extends to the forehead. Their upperparts are medium dark gray to sooty gray. Their wings are mostly medium dark gray to sooty gray with white edges on the median and greater coverts that show as two wing bars. Their remiges are blackish with white edges on the inner secondaries and tertials. Their tail is slightly notched and blackish with white feather tips when fresh. Their chin, throat, and underparts are white with sometimes a light grayish wash on the breast. They have a dark brown iris, a massive black bill with an arched culmen, and blackish legs and feet.

The giant kingbird is found only on Cuba, where it has a highly disjunct distribution. There it is found along the northwestern coast, the southeastern coast, a few locations in the interior, and on Isla de la Juventud (the "Isle of Pines"). It formerly was found on Great Inagua and the Caicos Islands where it was last documented in 1891. There are also Pleistocene fossils from islands in the northern Bahamas. It has been documented as a vagrant in Mexico and possibly in Haiti, where its origin is uncertain. There are also undocumented sight records in Florida. The giant kingbird primarily inhabits tall forest and the borders of rivers and swamps in the lowlands. It also occurs in pine and mixed pine-deciduous woodlands and open swamps and dry savanna with scattered tall trees. In some areas it occurs in groves of palms interspersed with coffee and cacao plantations. In all areas it appears to require a canopy height of at least 13 m (45 ft). In elevation it ranges from sea level to 1,100 m (3,600 ft).

The giant kingbird feeds primarily on large insects and also includes small vertebrates and fruit in its diet. It usually forages singly or in pairs, perching on an exposed branch in a tall tree. It usually captures insects in mid-air and possibly gleans them during a sally from the perch. It usually takes fruit while briefly hovering.