How does the tail appearance distinguish Tyrannus verticalis from T. vociferans?
Answer
T. verticalis features pale tail edging, while Cassin's Kingbird often has a more uniformly dark tail.
Distinguishing between closely related species within the *Tyrannus* genus often relies on subtle color differences, and the tail is critical here. The key field distinction for *Tyrannus verticalis* is the presence of that pale tail edging, which is directly referenced by its species name. Conversely, the closely related Cassin's Kingbird (*Tyrannus vociferans*) typically exhibits a tail that appears much darker or more uniformly dark across the surface when displayed.
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