Commonly found perching on an exposed tree or shrub branch, I usually see the Eastern Kingbird on the edge of marshes.
The bird flies out quickly to grab an insect before settling back on the same branch.
Which is what I found when I visited Erie Marsh Preserve recently, the blackish bird with white below and white-tipped black tail was perched on a dead tree snag near the entrance gate.
If you look closely at the photo, below the bird, you might see a spider’s web with a few insects caught in the web.
Eastern Kingbirds are migrants to southeast Michigan and will soon migrate to South America. Unlike other migrating songbirds, Eastern Kingbirds may travel mostly during the day.
Checking my own bird sightings, the latest I’ve found Eastern Kingbirds in Michigan is August 29. I hope I see another one this month!
