The crested black tyrant is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Region
South America
Typical Environment
Occurs widely in central and southeastern Brazil, extending into eastern Paraguay and northern Uruguay. It favors open habitats such as cerrado savannas, campos rupestres, dry grasslands, pastures, and rocky outcrops with scattered shrubs or trees. The species readily uses man-made perches like fences and utility wires along roads and ranchlands. Presence in mosaics of scrub and open ground is typical, and it can persist where grazing maintains low vegetation structure.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This striking flycatcher is often seen perched on fence posts and rocks, making short sallies to catch flying insects. Males are glossy black with an erectile crest and conspicuous white outer tail feathers that flash in flight. It adapts well to open, human-altered landscapes such as pastures and roadsides. The species is common across much of its range and is generally easy to spot due to its conspicuous perching behavior.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick sallies from perches
Social Behavior
Often seen alone or in pairs, especially during the breeding season when it defends open territories with prominent perches. Courtship includes tail-flicking and crest-raising displays by the male. Nests are small cups placed in sheltered spots such as low ledges or dense shrubs, with both parents participating in care. Outside breeding, it may tolerate loose proximity to other insectivores where food is abundant.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include sharp, metallic chips and dry trrt calls given from exposed perches. The song is a brief series of thin whistles and chatters, often delivered during display with visible crest-raising.
Plumage
Male is glossy black with a short erectile crest and clean white outer tail feathers that show prominently in flight; feathers are sleek and uniform. Female and immature are dark brown to sooty-brown with a subtler crest and paler underparts, sometimes with faint mottling. Overall appearance is smooth-plumaged with minimal patterning aside from tail edges.
Diet
Primarily hunts flying insects, including flies, beetles, and winged ants or termites taken during swarms. Uses sit-and-wait tactics, sallying from an exposed perch to snatch prey in mid-air. It will also glean insects from low foliage or pounce to the ground for arthropods when opportunities arise. Water is obtained from diet and occasional visits to small puddles or streams.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along pasture edges, open shrublands, rocky slopes, and roadsides where scattered perches provide vantage points. Fence lines and isolated trees are commonly used for repeated sallies. It benefits from open visibility and patches of bare ground or short grass.
