The Great Kiskadee is a large species of flycatcher found across much of South America as well as parts of Central America and the southernmost part of Texas in the U.S.
The Great Kiskadee is a colorful species, combining yellow, black, white, and warm reddish-brown tones into an attractive bird. Males and females look alike.
Great Kiskadees are boisterous and conspicuous birds. They are opportunistic omnivores, hunting prey like insects and small animals, including fish! They also eat fruit and suet and will visit feeding stations. They are common within their range and their conservation status is Least Concern as of June 2013.
The Great Kiskadee is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and was last assessed in 2012 by BirdLife International. This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend appears to be increasing, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is extremely large, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Today a beautiful flycatcher joins Birdorable! Today's Bonanza bird is the Great Kiskadee. Great Kiskadees are large flycatchers - the largest of all in the tyrant flycatcher family. They are also colorful, a pleasing mix of warm brown, black, white, and... Read more »
