Black-tailed Tityra

Tityra cayana

Not EvaluatedUncommonFruitForestCavity nestMedium · 68 g

About the Black-tailed Tityra

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.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

This is a robust, short-tailed bird with a long, hook-tipped bill; like other tityras, it has a peculiar vestigial ninth primary feather. The adult black-tailed tityra is 20–22 centimetres (7.9–8.7 in) long and weighs 60–70 grams (2.1–2.5 oz). The male is dull white above and white below. The rectrices, the primary and secondary remiges and a cap extending to below the eyes are black; the tertiary remiges are silvery grey. Females have dark brown rather than black on wings and tail and some brown pattern on head, back and underside. Voice: This species has a buzzing short call rendered as ed, rek, urd or wenk. A double beeza-buzza and triple weenk, weenk, weenk are also given. It more frequently calls in flight than when perched.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

What the Black-tailed Tityra sounds like

Recording: Niels Krabbe · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Where it lives

Regular rangeRare visitor

Recorded as a rare visitor in Guadeloupe.

When to see it

Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Learn the Black-tailed Tityra for real

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