Jim,
This is the best post. Thoroughly enjoyed every word. Thank you!
Glenda
Sent from my iPhone
On May 13, 2023, at 9:11 PM, Mcintyre, Nancy <Nancy.Mcintyre@xxxxxxx> wrote:
All Tyrannus have a "hidden crown."
On May 13, 2023, at 9:03 PM, Brad Shine <sonofshine@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
This email originated outside TTU. Please exercise caution!
I know Eastern, Couch’s, Tropical, and Gray Kingbirds also have red-crowns :)
Unsure about the other southern kingbird species though!
On Sat, May 13, 2023 at 8:29 PM James Crites <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi All,
I went out this afternoon during a break in the rain in a futile attempt to see some of the rare birds being seen recently at Atzlan Park. I did not see those birds, but the Western Kingbirds were displaying their red crowns because the top of their heads were wet. I have seen these red crowns before, but it had been so long since I had observed this feature, I had forgotten they had red crowns-see photo below. None of my guide books mention this red crown. I wonder in keeping with names of other birds like orange-crowned warbler, gold-crowned warbler, ruby-crowned kinglet, golden-crowned kinglet, golden-crowned sparrow, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, violet-crowned hummingbird, and the white-crowned pigeon that the Western Kingbird should be named the Red-crowned Kingbird. Yes, “western” in the name is accurate in suggesting that this kingbird is found generally in the western part of North America. I guess I like consistency. Oh well, just a weird thing to think about (and share) on a dark, cloudy, rainy evening.
Jim Crites (a Grey-crowned Human)
Sent from my iPad