27 January 2010, Summit Ponds, Summit, Panama

The dark crease in the middle of the crown conceals a patch of orange-red
feathers which are rarely displayed.

The Tropical Kingbird is one of the most abundant flycatchers in the
neotropics where it continues to benefit from deforestation. It prefers
disturbed areas, towns, villages, parks, gardens and pastures.

Three races are recognized. This is T. m. satrapa which ranges from the
southwestern United States to northern South America. Birds from Mexico to
Venezuela and offshore islands were formerly recognized as "T. m.
chloronotus" which is now merged into T. m. satrapa. These birds are
generally paler than populations further south. Satrapa sometimes occurs
as a vagrant along the West Coast of the U.S.

Digiscoped with Panasonic DMC-LZ5 | Nikon FieldScope 3 | 30X WA | hand-held
(no adapter)