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Articles

Vol. 21 No. 4 (1990)

NOTES: FIRST RECORD OF THE WESTERN KINGBIRD (TYRANNUS VERTICALIS) IN BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR

Submitted
September 14, 2025
Published
October 1, 1990

Abstract

The Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis) is the most widespread kingbird in the western USA, being common in dry and open country (Peterson 1990). Its breeding distribution ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico, and it winters south to Costa Rica (Peterson and Chalif 1973). In Baja California, the Western Kingbird is considered a spring transient and summer resident species in the north (Wilbur 1987), being recorded south just to El Salto and Rancho Rosarito (30° 25' N, 115° 25' W) (Short and Banks 1965). However, on 29 September 1990 we recorded two individuals of the species in the southern tip of the peninsula. The birds were perched on fences and mesquites, catching insects at Ejido La Trinidad (37.5 km south of La Paz; 23° 48' N, 110° 19' W), where disturbed areas surrounded by open woodland and field crops dominated the landscape. Vegetation of the area was composed of mesquite (Prosopis articulata), Choya (Opuntia cholla), palo verde (Cercidium praecox), Tacote (Viguiera deltoidea), and isolated Dagger Cactus (Machaeocereus gummosus), Organ Pipe Cactus (Lemaireocereus thurberi), and Cardon (Pachycereus pringlei).

References