Midday in a Midwest meadow. The sun is strong. A warm wind rustles the grasses. Nearby you notice an Eastern Kingbird. More brightly colored than its cousin the Western Kingbird.
This kingbird is stark white and black with a slight crest and an erect posture that’s unusual among perching birds. He looks haughty, like he wouldn’t take any crap.
The toughest kid in our tough high school had the nickname “King.” He had scars on his face. He also looked like he wouldn’t take any crap. We wondered if he acted tough because his nickname was “King,” or if the name came only after he earned it.
Do these black and white Eastern Kingbirds look cocky because they’re “king” birds? A pointless musing. They don’t know what we call them and wouldn’t care.
I saw a Yellow-breasted Chat in the nearby trees, a bird with a name I wouldn’t brag about. It was sprightly but suggested little dignity. In the same prairie I’ve seen Dickcissels. I have no idea what they thought of themselves.
I prefer names like “Red-headed Woodpecker.” The head’s red and the guy’s pecking wood. Done. “Indigo Bunting” is a pretentious name. If you tell somebody you saw an Indigo Bunting they do a double take.
You know this. You think some names are pretty silly. Dickcissel. C’mon.
But Kingbird? That’s a name to take seriously. Just look at one. If you’re lucky enough to be granted a chance.
Footnote:
A similar mention of this bird appeared here 14 years ago and elicited this comment from a two-fisted birdwatcher in Grand Forks: “I saw an Eastern Kingbird and a Western Kingbird sitting on a wire with the Eastern to the east and the Western to the west. How did they know?”
As to the comment below…
Leave it to Marc D…a rare bird who can quote a notorious Australian song written in the 1930’s! Since Mark brought it up, it’s fun to know that the Kookaburra, an exotic KING-fisher from down under, is the source of the chilling call we hear in countless jungle movies.
Kookabora sits by the old gum tree. Jolly, jolly KING of the Bush is he. Laugh Kookabora, Laugh Kookabora, gay your life must be.
I’m glad you included that footnote. Believe it or not I actually remember seeing it but cannot believe it was so many years ago!
Agree with you about names! Sometimes they make sense and sometimes they would embarrass any bird that had nothing to say about it. Who named a graceful ocean going bird a “booby?” Please keep the sightings and the comments going.