Family: Tyrannidae, Tyrant Flycatchers view all from this family

Description 8-9" (20-23 cm). Similar to Western Kingbird but darker, back more olive-gray, black tail lightly white-tipped but lacking white margins. Darker gray breast makes white throat patch appear smaller and more clearly defined than Western Kingbird's.

Habitat Savannas, rangelands, pinyon-juniper woodlands.

Nesting 3-5 white, spotted eggs in a bulky nest lined with twigs, grass, or animal hair, placed on a horizontal limb, well hidden.

Range Breeds in southern California and from Montana south to southern Utah and Southwest. Winters in southern California.

Voice   A loud chi-beer! and a rapid chi-beer, ch-beer-beer-beer-r-r.

Discussion Cassin's Kingbird is often found high on a tree, where it sits more quietly than a Western Kingbird.