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Giant kingbird
GIANT KINGBIRD Tyrannus cubensis (8466755405).jpg
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Genus:
Tyrannus
Species:
cubensis
Tyrannus cubensis map.svg

The giant kingbird (Tyrannus cubensis) is a species of bird in the tyrant flycatcher family Tyrannidae endemic to Cuba.

Taxonomy

The species is probably mostly closely related to the loggerhead kingbird, which also occurs in Cuba as well as several other nearby Caribbean islands.

Description

While this species has been reported in the past to average only 23 cm (9 in) long, this may be excessively conservative with the overall length being 23 to 26 cm (9.1 to 10.2 in). Although it is not the largest tyrant flycatcher, its body mass as reported is significantly higher than the next largest known kingbird, the thick-billed kingbird, with an average of 93.6 g (3.30 oz), sometimes scaling up to 108 g (3.8 oz), meaning it can be nearly as heavy as the largest tyrant flycatcher, the great shrike tyrant.

Distribution and habitat

Giant Kingbird 2495229727
The giant kingbird is endemic to Cuba.

T. cubensis is endemic to Cuba, but is considered extirpated from the Turks and Caicos Islands and The Bahamas. Vagrant individuals have been sighted in Mexico and Hispaniola (Haiti). The giant kingbird is found in tall lowland forest. In particular, it favors pine forests and the wooded borders of waterways. It is also found in mixed pine barrens, open woodlands, swamps and savanna. It has also been seen in cloud forest.

It is threatened by habitat loss.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Pitirre real para niños

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