The black-tailed tityra is a medium-sized passerine bird of tropical South America. The tityras have been placed in the cotinga or the tyrant flycatcher families by various authors. But the weight of evidence strongly suggest they and their closest relatives are better separated as Tityridae; the AOU for example advocates this separation.
Region
Amazon Basin and the Guianas
Typical Environment
Widespread in lowland and foothill forests across northern and central South America, especially in the Guianas and much of the Amazon Basin. It favors forest edges, secondary growth, gallery forests, and wooded savannas, and is a frequent visitor to fruiting trees in clearings and plantations. The species is most often seen in the mid- to upper canopy and along riverine corridors. It tolerates moderate habitat disturbance better than many strictly forest-interior birds.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The black-tailed tityra is a canopy-dwelling passerine of tropical South America and a typical member of the family Tityridae. It often nests in natural cavities or old woodpecker holes and readily visits fruiting trees. Males show a sharper black facial mask while females are duskier and more mottled. By consuming and dispersing fruit, it plays a role in forest regeneration.
Sacha Lodge - Ecuador
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
direct flight with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups and sometimes joins mixed-species flocks in the canopy. Nests in cavities such as old woodpecker holes or natural tree hollows, often above the mid-canopy. Both parents help provision the young, and birds frequently use exposed perches for foraging and calling.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are harsh, nasal, and buzzing, often delivered from exposed crowns of trees. Typical notes include repeated grating krek or rasping bzz phrases, interspersed with short chatters.
Plumage
Pale gray to whitish body with contrasting black tail and dusky-black wings; males show a distinct black mask and darker cap, females are browner with faint mottling and a less extensive mask.
Diet
Primarily frugivorous, taking figs, berries, and other soft fruits, but also hawks and gleans large insects such as beetles and orthopterans. It forages by sallying from high perches and by methodically gleaning foliage and fruit clusters. Seasonal availability of fruit influences its movements within territories and daily routines.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mostly in the mid- to upper canopy at forest edges, in secondary growth, river margins, and fruiting trees within clearings and plantations. It will also exploit isolated fruiting trees in semi-open country.
