September 12, 2025: Eastern Kingbirds in late summer on Cape Cod show crisp dark-gray backs, white underparts, and a white-tipped tail. They forage socially, sallying for insects but increasingly shift to berries, fueling their upcoming migration to South America.

In late summer around Falmouth, Eastern Kingbirds are still readily identified by their crisp field marks: a dark slate-gray back and head contrasting with a clean white underparts and throat. The squared tail, boldly tipped in white, is especially conspicuous in flight or when perched upright on wires, shrubs, or exposed branches. Their sturdy build and large head give them a stocky, purposeful appearance.

By late August into early September, family groups often gather in loose flocks, shifting behavior from fiercely territorial defense earlier in the breeding season to more social foraging ahead of migration. While they continue to sally out from perches to snatch flying insects on the wing, they increasingly supplement their diet with fruit, especially berries from dogwood, sumac, and bayberry. This shift fuels their long southbound journey to South America.