The masked tityra is a medium-sized passerine bird. It is found in Mexico, every Central American country, and every northern and central mainland South American country except the Guianas.
Region
Mesoamerica and northern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from Mexico through all Central American countries to Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and much of Amazonian Brazil, but is scarce or absent in the Guianas. It inhabits lowland and foothill tropical forests, forest edges, second growth, gallery forests, and plantations with scattered tall trees. Most activity is in the mid- to upper canopy, where it forages and sings from exposed perches. It adapts well to moderately disturbed habitats provided mature trees with cavities remain.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The masked tityra is a medium-sized Neotropical songbird, with males showing a striking black facial mask against mostly white plumage. It often perches conspicuously high in the canopy and nests in tree cavities, frequently reusing abandoned woodpecker holes. Its diet mixes fruit and large insects, making it an effective seed disperser. Despite tolerating edges and second growth, local declines can occur where large trees with nesting cavities are removed.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with direct, purposeful flights between canopy perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups and occasionally joins mixed-species flocks in the canopy. Nests in natural cavities or old woodpecker holes, often in dead snags or tall living trees. Both parents participate in provisioning the young and defend the nest area vigorously.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations are nasal and buzzy, with grating churrs and buzzy teeer or brrrt notes delivered from high perches. Calls carry well through the canopy and are used frequently for contact between pair members. The song is simple and repetitive rather than melodious.
Plumage
Male largely white with contrasting black mask, wings, and tail; female duller gray-brown above with faint streaking or mottling below and a smaller, duskier mask. Both sexes show a stout, pale-based bill and bare reddish skin at the bill base. Plumage appears smooth and clean in males, more textured and lightly barred in females.
Diet
Primarily consumes fruit, including figs and other soft, fleshy berries, which it often swallows whole and later disperses the seeds. Supplements its diet with large insects such as cicadas, grasshoppers, and beetles, captured by sallying from perches. Occasionally takes other arthropods and small vertebrates. Foraging is typically methodical, with short sallies and hover-gleaning near fruiting trees.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mostly in the mid- to upper canopy at forest edges, clearings, and along rivers. Also exploits second-growth woodlands and plantations where fruiting trees are present. Often visits isolated emergent trees in pastures or towns.
