Rare Tropical Kingbird Draws Birders to Kennewick
A tropical kingbird, a species never before recorded in Eastern Washington, has been spotted at Two Rivers Park in Kennewick.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Bird Watching
A tropical kingbird was discovered at Two Rivers Park in Kennewick on October 18 by local birder Mitch Willadsen, marking the first recorded sighting of the species in Eastern Washington. Birders from across the region have traveled to see the bird, which was still present at the park on October 29.
Why it matters
The bird's presence is attributed to reverse migration, likely caused by a faulty internal compass that sent it roughly 180 degrees off its normal route. For Kennewick residents and local birders, the sighting offers a rare chance to observe a vagrant species far outside its range.
The tropical kingbird was first documented on October 18 and was still reported at Two Rivers Park on October 29 after being photographed and posted to Facebook, Instagram and eBird. Observers note the bird was feeding on bees and larger insects, but its wintering prospects remain unclear.
The players
Mitch Willadsen
A local birder from the Kennewick area who discovered the tropical kingbird and shared photos of it on social media, drawing regional attention to the sighting.
Vic Hubbard
A birder from Pasco, Washington, who observed the tropical kingbird at Two Rivers Park on October 24 and contributed to the week's documented sightings.
The details
Mitch Willadsen found the bird and posted photos online, prompting sightings to be shared throughout the week on Facebook, Instagram and eBird. Vic Hubbard of Pasco observed the bird on October 24, and onlookers gathered at the park along the Columbia River to see it.
Timeline
October 18: Mitch Willadsen discovers the tropical kingbird at Two Rivers Park.
October 24: Vic Hubbard of Pasco observes the bird at the park.
October 29: The tropical kingbird is still present at the park with onlookers.
December 1: Coastal Oregon tropical kingbirds are typically mostly gone by this date.
Seasonal Patterns
Vagrant sightings like this one are logged through eBird, which allows birders to track unusual arrivals against typical migration routes. Records of displaced species appearing far from their normal range help document how storms, food shortages and juvenile wandering shift bird movements from season to season.
Residents who want to see the bird can visit Two Rivers Park in Kennewick, though it may not remain through the winter. Birders can log their own sightings on eBird to help track the species' movements in the region.
The takeaway
Unusual bird sightings like this one show how quickly rare species can draw a community together. Keeping a record of what you observe, whether on eBird or a notebook, helps build a clearer picture of how wildlife moves through your area.
Further reading
Explore more Bird Watching coverage to see how vagrant species like this one are tracked by local birders.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Spokesman Review.
