Gray Kingbirds have been known breeders in Alabama since at least 14 May 1950, when the first nest and first state record were reported from Ft. Morgan by H. M. Stevenson (Auk 68: 510-511). They nested regularly along the coast until July 1997, when Hurricane Danny stalled over the Alabama coast for approximately 36 hours. Though only a Saffir-Simpson Category I storm, massive amounts of rainfall were recorded in some areas, with relentless winds for that extended period. This took a heavy toll on local passerines. For example, Brown-headed Nuthatches (Sitta pusilla) were eliminated from Dauphin Island in adjacent Mobile County, and the small Gray Kingbird population across the Alabama coast shared a similar fate (Greg D. Jackson, pers. comm.). Though the kingbirds have occurred sporadically along the coast since then, no breeding evidence has been reported following Hurricane Danny until the present record (Greg D. Jackson, pers. comm.).
Author: Bailey D. McKay
Volume Number: 52 Year Published: 2006
Issue Number: 2
Page Number: 50-55
Link to article: http://birdlife.aosbirds.org/2006/52_2_pages50-55.pdf
Link to the full issue of BirdLife: http://birdlife.aosbirds.org/2006/Vol 52 No. 2_2006.pdf
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