Kingbird stealing from martin in flight

[Guest]

Yesterday I observed two occasions when an Eastern Kingbird stole the dragonfly from a male martin as he flew overhead on his way to the nestlings at my colony. After the first thievery, I watched the kingbird as he flitted about in the large tree overhead, heard him calling and twittering; then within a few minutes, he repeated the encounter and was again successful in his theft. The overhead encounter was the first I've seen of this stealing behavior. In the past, the kingbirds have been heroes by mobbing crows and otherwise keeping them away from the area. I guess this is an example of "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" in the bird world.

[Craig Dyer]

I haven't witnessed eastern kingbirds stealing insects from the martins, but I did have a kingbird follow me around the yard once while I was mowing. As the mower disturbed & kicked up insects, he was right there for the bounty.

[Louise Chambers]

Previously landlords have reported seeing Western Kingbirds steal food from martins - we haven't had a lot of reports, though - just a few. This year in Corpus Christi we have seen Couch's Kingbirds steal food from the martins on several occasions. I wonder if the current drought situation & insect shortage might have something to do with it?

I certainly agree that kingbirds can be excellent allies & lookouts for hawks. Kingbirds are fearless when it comes to divebombing hawks. On a less pleasant note, eastern kingbirds have been known to attack fledgling martins on occasion. Fortunately this is not a common behavior but more of a "some birds, some of the time" situation.

Louise

[kimball911]

I witnessed two Western King bird's last night stealing from a Martin. He was giving them a run for their money though. I have 4 Western Kings that must have nest pretty close by, because they hardly ever leave the area. They are awesome fliers......