John James Audubon ranks the Tyrant Flycatcher (present-day Eastern kingbird) second only to the Purple martin (Plate 22) in its efforts to ward off hawks and others encroaching on its nest and young. “Few Hawks will venture to approach the farm-yard while the King-bird is near. Even the cat in a great measure remains at home; and, should she appear, the little warrior, fearless as the boldest Eagle, plunges towards her, with such rapid and violent motions, and so perplexes her with attempts to peck on all sides, that grimalkin, ashamed of herself, returns discomfited to the house.” After the Eastern kingbird fledges its young, the job falls back on the farmer to protect his poultry from the likes of the Cooper’s hawk (Plate 36) and Great-horned owl (Plate 61).
Plate 79 – Tyrant Flycatcher
Plate 79 of the first edition of "Birds of America" by John James Audubon.