While birding at Mid Pines Rd. in Raleigh N.C. a few days ago, I spotted this handsome Eastern Kingbird perched on a fence wire.
He sat there squawking at every bird that flew past and eventually flew out of sight, giving chase to a large Red-tailed Hawk.

These sharp looking members of the Flycatcher family exhibit a rather aggressive behavior toward larger birds and predators that enter their territories.
Their Latin moniker is “Tyrannus tyrannus”. An apt name because Tyrannus means “tyrant, despot, or king” which refers to their fearless aggression!
As was the case this morning, Eastern Kingbirds are well known to attack much larger birds such as raptors, crows and even ravens. If their nesting area is threatened, they might even have a go at a squirrel or other small mammal.
Feisty little ones aren’t they?!

Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc
Canon 5Ds