East vs West (Kingbird Nests)
I’ve been observing two sets of kingbird parents tending to their nests (safely and from a respectful distance that puts no stress on the parents). One pair of eastern kingbirds and another pair of western kingbirds.
Kingbirds seem to nest in close proximity to humans, though I almost think they have an invisibility superpower because most non-birders probably don’t know they exist. The nests I’m watching are in a church parking lot and next to a busy walking trail near an apartment complex - not exactly “deep in nature”.
The two birds are approximately the same size, bigger than a goldfinch, slightly smaller than a robin. Both have sharp bills with a little “tooth” at the end. They both like to hunt from a perch, which may explain their preference for parking lots with light poles, signs and smallish trees. They both catch bugs “on the wing” (in flight) and can often be observed flying out and back from the same perch over and over. They both hover, dive and are extremely agile in the air.
Their coloring is very different as shown in the pictures below, but in the air their form is still very similar. The eastern kingbird is dark blue/black on top and white on the belly where the western kingbird is light gray on the top with a yellow belly.
Their nests are approximately the same size, I would guess about the size of my hands cupped, though their nests are high in the tree and very well protected by leaves. Both nests are filled with plenty of cottonwood fluff!
Both sets of young ones are being fed a steady diet of bugs. The eastern kingbirds are also being fed blackberries as their nest is near a big patch of wild blackberries.
Both sets of parents are fierce protectors of the nest area. I have watched them chase away scissor-tail flycatchers, a green heron, house sparrows a red-tailed hawk and, ironically, other kingbirds. In one case I watched what I think was a fledgling western kingbird (from another nest?) trying to hop in their nest and get fed. The parents were way beyond agitated until they ran that youngster away.
Their personalities are as opposite as their coloring. The eastern kingbird parents are relatively quiet, unless there is a predator in the area. Though they are clearly working together to feed the youngsters, it seems to be a relatively smooth process. They fly out and back with little noise and I can easily miss seeing them go. They seem relatively unconcerned with other birds (other than herons or hawks) or humans. They work together with the red-winged blackbirds when a predator appears. They are the quiet neighbors just going about their business.
The western kingbirds on the other hand are very loud and chatter at each other constantly, usually with a full wing flutter while they are chattering. They are VERY clear about boundaries and under no circumstances are other birds to cross the perimeter they have established. They chatter nearly every time they take off.
On several occasions I’ve watched the male drop a bug in the nest while the female is chattering away at him, then watched her go in, pick the bug up, prepare it properly, and then lovingly shove it down the throat of one of the babies. To my human eye it seems like the western kingbird female knows how things need to be done and she is making sure they are done right!
Watching bird parents tend to their young reminds me of just how hard it is to be a parent, both to our young ones and to ourselves. Each set of parents has a different style but in the end they have a hard job to feed, protect and nurture their youngsters while still taking care of themselves.
I’ve been thinking a lot about how we are nurtured, how we nurture others and how we nurture ourselves. It’s part of the R.A.I.N. concept of compassion-based mindfulness (recognize, accept, investigate, nurture) I’ve been working with. (Link here: RAIN). Even after more than a decade, self-compassion and nurturing is still an area where I have a lot of room to improve. Watching these bird parents I am reminded of the importance of setting clear boundaries, communication and finding that perfect blend of fierce bravery and gentle care.
Keen observation that spreads beyond birdwatching. Love it!
I love detail of your observations and descriptions. Actually felt like learned something about kingbirds! And, as always, the photos are beautiful.