Great Kiskadee
Pitangus sulphuratus
Also known as: Derby Flycatcher
About This Species
This large, noisy flycatcher favours open woodland edges, riversides, and urban parks across the southern US and Central America, often perched conspicuously on wires and bare branches. Its loud, ringing call, which gives the bird its name, usually announces its presence before it is seen sallying out after flying insects. It is present and vocal year-round in most of its range, with activity peaking through the warmer months when insects are abundant.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Observe from a distance, particularly near nests, as kiskadees can become vocal and defensive when they perceive a threat close by.
- In the US it is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, while legal protections elsewhere in its range vary by country, so treating it as protected throughout is the safer assumption.
- Its tolerance of human activity in parks and gardens does not mean it welcomes close approach, especially when nesting.
LCAvesPasseriformesTyrannidae
Seasonal Activity
2,673,121 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Tyrannidae
Photo
(c) Gregory "Slobirdr" Smith, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
CC-BY-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.