EASTERN KINGBIRD

[bluetick]

Has anyone every had an Eastern Kingbird come and pick a fight with your Martins? Comes right in front of the gourds with all the Martins there. They are mean. One has taken a couple of my Martins right to the ground. Last week is the first I had ever noticed one. Dave

[JL Murray]

Almost every day!

i think its a game to the KB, and the Martins have never been hurt as far as i can tell, and you should see what the KB does when a Hawk flies over.

I think the KB believes that it is a bigger bird than the Hawk by the way it attacks the Hawk, that is really one gutsy bird!

[DornCounty]

have king birds around my colony and never had an issue.

[John Miller]

I see squabbles from kingbirds and martins in Forest Park, St. Louis. I read that kingbirds are good "sentinel" birds -- helping alert the martins when a hawk is near. John M

[art]

I only have Western Kingbirds here in SW Kansas, and all get along okay as they share the yard and surrounding open space with my Martins. The WEKI's annually nest in my locust tree and once they have eggs, and then young in the nest, no cats dare enter the yard during daylight.

[daveh]

I haven't had any problems with E. Kingbirds around my houses or gourds. Martins pay no attention to them.

dave

[robdaubs]

Yeah all the time.They like to aggravate the martins!

[bluetick]

They sure go out of their way here to pick a fight. My neighbor said that bird doesn't know your yard is Martin country he better leave them alone. Dave

[robdaubs]

yeah,ive watched them.they will land on a treetop near the martin houses just to say " hey,im in your territory ,eating your bugs ,what are you gonna do about that?