Cassin’s Kingbird Regurgitating a Pellet at Black Mesa

I have photographed and written about many birds regurgitating pellets over the years. Now I can add a Cassin’s Kingbird pellet sequence to that collection. I photographed this encounter at the south entrance to Black Mesa State Park in Oklahoma.

Why Birds Regurgitate Pellets

Birds regurgitate pellets to get rid of food remains they cannot digest. Depending on their diet, those remains can include tough insect parts, fur, feathers, and bones.

The bird packs this material together in its gizzard, a muscular part of the stomach. It then brings the pellet back up and releases it through its bill. This process is also called casting a pellet.

Owls are well known for this behavior, but many other birds do it too. Flycatchers, herons, gulls, and kingfishers are among the birds that cast pellets. For insect-eating birds, pellets can contain pieces of the insects’ hard outer coverings.

I cannot identify the contents of this kingbird’s pellet from my photos. However, researchers can examine collected pellets to learn what birds have eaten.

Photographing the Cassin’s Kingbird Pellet Sequence

I started photographing this bird because it had a good perch and good light. From my truck, I had a clear view and could keep my camera on it.

The kingbird began regurgitating while I was taking photos. I had not set out to photograph that behavior, but I was in position when it happened.

I captured several frames during the encounter, including the moment when I could see the pellet at its bill.

I have photographed this behavior in another kingbird species as well. You can compare that encounter in my post, Eastern Kingbird Regurgitating a Pellet.

Another Bird for My Pellet Collection

My interest in bird pellets has also led to a connection I’m proud of. UK zoologist Ed Drewitt included one of my photographs in his book, Bird Pellets: A Complete Photographic Guide.

I shared that news in A Feathered Honor: My Photo in Ed Drewitt’s Book!.

This Black Mesa encounter gives me another species to include in the behavior I’ve documented over the years. I’m glad I stopped for that perch and light.