Tityridae
Encyclopedia
Tityridae is family of suboscine passerine
birds found in forest and woodland in the Neotropics. The approximately 30 species in this family were formerly spread over the families Tyrannidae, Pipridae and Cotingidae (see Taxonomy
). As yet, no widely accepted common name
exists for the family, although Tityras and allies and Tityras, Mourners and allies have been used. They are small to medium-sized birds. Under current classification, the family ranges in size from the Buff-throated Purpletuft
, at 9.5 cm (3.75 in) and 10 grams (0.35 oz), to the Masked Tityra
, at up to 22 cm (8.7 in) and 88 grams (3.1 oz). Most have relatively short tails and large heads.
Laniocera
was included in the family Tyrannidae, the genera Iodopleura, Laniisoma, Tityra
, Pachyramphus
and Xenopsaris were included in the family Cotingidae, and Schiffornis
was included in the family Pipridae. Three of these genera, Tityra, Pachyramphus and Xenopsaris, were later moved to Tyrannidae based on the morphology of their skull
and syrinx
.
The existence of the family Tityridae (although simply treated as a clade
) was first proposed in 1989 based on the morphology of several syringeal and skeletal features. The existence of this family has later been confirmed by multiple studies involving both mtDNA and nDNA. Evidence suggests there are two basal
clades within this family, the first including the genera Schiffornis, Laniocera, and Laniisoma (with strong bootstrap support
), and the second include Iodopleura, Tityra, Xenopsaris, and Pachyramphus (with poor bootstrap support).
and Kinglet Calyptura
may belong in this family, but hard scientific data is lacking, and they are therefore considered incertae sedis
by recent authorities such as SACC
. Recent evidence suggests that the Sharpbill
belong in this family, but, as recommended by SACC, it is retained as incertae sedis until this placement is confirmed by additional data.
Passerine
A passerine is a bird of the order Passeriformes, which includes more than half of all bird species. Sometimes known as perching birds or, less accurately, as songbirds, the passerines form one of the most diverse terrestrial vertebrate orders: with over 5,000 identified species, it has roughly...
birds found in forest and woodland in the Neotropics. The approximately 30 species in this family were formerly spread over the families Tyrannidae, Pipridae and Cotingidae (see Taxonomy
Taxonomy
Taxonomy is the science of identifying and naming species, and arranging them into a classification. The field of taxonomy, sometimes referred to as "biological taxonomy", revolves around the description and use of taxonomic units, known as taxa...
). As yet, no widely accepted common name
Common name
A common name of a taxon or organism is a name in general use within a community; it is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism...
exists for the family, although Tityras and allies and Tityras, Mourners and allies have been used. They are small to medium-sized birds. Under current classification, the family ranges in size from the Buff-throated Purpletuft
Buff-throated Purpletuft
The Buff-throated Purpletuft is a small species of South American bird in the Tityridae family. It has traditionally been placed in the cotinga family, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae, where now placed by SACC.It is endemic to Atlantic Forest in eastern Brazil...
, at 9.5 cm (3.75 in) and 10 grams (0.35 oz), to the Masked Tityra
Masked Tityra
The Masked Tityra is a medium-sized passerine bird. It has traditionally been placed in the cotinga or the tyrant flycatcher family, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae, where now placed by SACC...
, at up to 22 cm (8.7 in) and 88 grams (3.1 oz). Most have relatively short tails and large heads.
Taxonomy
Traditionally, the genusGenus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Laniocera
Laniocera
Laniocera is a genus of bird in the Tityridae family. It has traditionally been placed in the cotinga family, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae, where now placed by SACC...
was included in the family Tyrannidae, the genera Iodopleura, Laniisoma, Tityra
Tityra
The tityras are passerine birds in the genus Tityra of the family Tityridae. They are found from southern Mexico, through Central America, to northern and central South America, including Trinidad....
, Pachyramphus
Pachyramphus
Pachyramphus is a genus of bird in the Tityridae family which includes the species commonly known as the becards. It has traditionally been placed in Cotingidae or Tyrannidae, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae, where now placed by SACC. Depending on taxonomy, the genus...
and Xenopsaris were included in the family Cotingidae, and Schiffornis
Schiffornis
Schiffornis is a genus of bird in the Tityridae family. It has traditionally been placed in the manakin family, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae, where now placed by SACC...
was included in the family Pipridae. Three of these genera, Tityra, Pachyramphus and Xenopsaris, were later moved to Tyrannidae based on the morphology of their skull
Skull
The skull is a bony structure in the head of many animals that supports the structures of the face and forms a cavity for the brain.The skull is composed of two parts: the cranium and the mandible. A skull without a mandible is only a cranium. Animals that have skulls are called craniates...
and syrinx
Syrinx
In classical mythology, Syrinx was a nymph and a follower of Artemis, known for her chastity. Pursued by the amorous Greek god Pan, she ran to the river's edge and asked for assistance from the river nymphs. In answer, she was transformed into hollow water reeds that made a haunting sound when...
.
The existence of the family Tityridae (although simply treated as a clade
Clade
A clade is a group consisting of a species and all its descendants. In the terms of biological systematics, a clade is a single "branch" on the "tree of life". The idea that such a "natural group" of organisms should be grouped together and given a taxonomic name is central to biological...
) was first proposed in 1989 based on the morphology of several syringeal and skeletal features. The existence of this family has later been confirmed by multiple studies involving both mtDNA and nDNA. Evidence suggests there are two basal
Basal (phylogenetics)
In phylogenetics, a basal clade is the earliest clade to branch in a larger clade; it appears at the base of a cladogram.A basal group forms an outgroup to the rest of the clade, such as in the following example:...
clades within this family, the first including the genera Schiffornis, Laniocera, and Laniisoma (with strong bootstrap support
Bootstrapping (statistics)
In statistics, bootstrapping is a computer-based method for assigning measures of accuracy to sample estimates . This technique allows estimation of the sample distribution of almost any statistic using only very simple methods...
), and the second include Iodopleura, Tityra, Xenopsaris, and Pachyramphus (with poor bootstrap support).
Species
In addition to the species listed below, the Swallow-tailed CotingaSwallow-tailed Cotinga
The Swallow-tailed Cotinga is a species of passerine bird. As suggested by its common name, it has traditionally been considered a member of the cotinga family. Following the recent removal of several members from this family , the placement of this aberrant species is unclear...
and Kinglet Calyptura
Kinglet Calyptura
The Kinglet Calyptura is a small passerine bird. It is the only member of the genus Calyptura. It has traditionally been considered a member of the family Cotingidae, but following the move of several species from this family to Tityridae - including the purpletufts which traditionally are...
may belong in this family, but hard scientific data is lacking, and they are therefore considered incertae sedis
Incertae sedis
, is a term used to define a taxonomic group where its broader relationships are unknown or undefined. Uncertainty at specific taxonomic levels is attributed by , , and similar terms.-Examples:*The fossil plant Paradinandra suecica could not be assigned to any...
by recent authorities such as SACC
American Ornithologists' Union
The American Ornithologists' Union is an ornithological organization in the USA. Unlike the National Audubon Society, its members are primarily professional ornithologists rather than amateur birders...
. Recent evidence suggests that the Sharpbill
Sharpbill
The Sharpbill is a small drab bird. Its range is from the mountainous areas of tropical South America and southern Central America ....
belong in this family, but, as recommended by SACC, it is retained as incertae sedis until this placement is confirmed by additional data.
- genus TityraTityraThe tityras are passerine birds in the genus Tityra of the family Tityridae. They are found from southern Mexico, through Central America, to northern and central South America, including Trinidad....
.- Black-crowned TityraBlack-crowned TityraThe Black-crowned Tityra is a medium-sized passerine bird. It has traditionally been placed in the cotinga or the tyrant flycatcher family, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae, where now placed by SACC....
(Tityra inquisitor). - Black-tailed TityraBlack-tailed TityraThe 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...
(Tityra cayana). - Masked TityraMasked TityraThe Masked Tityra is a medium-sized passerine bird. It has traditionally been placed in the cotinga or the tyrant flycatcher family, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae, where now placed by SACC...
(Tityra semifasciata). - White-tailed Tityra (Tityra leucura) - validity questionable.
- Black-crowned Tityra
- genus SchiffornisSchiffornisSchiffornis is a genus of bird in the Tityridae family. It has traditionally been placed in the manakin family, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae, where now placed by SACC...
.- Varzea Schiffornis (Schiffornis major); alternatively Várzea Mourner.
- Thrush-like SchiffornisThrush-like SchiffornisThe Thrush-like Schiffornis , also called Thrush-like Mourner or Thrush-like Manakin, is a species of Neotropical bird.-Distribution and habitat:...
(Schiffornis turdina); alternatively Thrush-like Mourner - probably includes several species-level taxa. - Greenish SchiffornisGreenish SchiffornisThe Greenish Schiffornis , also Greenish Mourner or Greenish Manakin , is a species of bird in the Tityridae family...
(Schiffornis virescens); alternatively Greenish Mourner.
- genus LanioceraLanioceraLaniocera is a genus of bird in the Tityridae family. It has traditionally been placed in the cotinga family, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae, where now placed by SACC...
.- Speckled MournerSpeckled MournerThe Speckled Mourner is a species of bird in the Tityridae family. It has traditionally been placed in the cotinga family, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae, where now placed by SACC....
(Laniocera rufescens). - Cinereous MournerCinereous MournerThe Cinereous Mourner is a species of bird in the Tityridae family. The term cinereous describes its colouration. It has traditionally been placed in the cotinga family, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae, where now placed by SACC...
(Laniocera hypopyrra).
- Speckled Mourner
- genus Iodopleura.
- White-browed PurpletuftWhite-browed PurpletuftThe White-browed Purpletuft is a small South American species of bird in the Tityridae family. It has traditionally been placed in the cotinga family, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae, where now placed by SACC...
(Iodopleura isabellae). - Dusky PurpletuftDusky PurpletuftThe Dusky Purpletuft is a small South American species of bird in the Tityridae family. It has traditionally been placed in the cotinga family, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae, where now placed by SACC...
(Iodopleura fusca). - Buff-throated PurpletuftBuff-throated PurpletuftThe Buff-throated Purpletuft is a small species of South American bird in the Tityridae family. It has traditionally been placed in the cotinga family, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae, where now placed by SACC.It is endemic to Atlantic Forest in eastern Brazil...
(Iodopleura pipra).
- White-browed Purpletuft
- genus Laniisoma.
- Elegant Mourner (Laniisoma elegans); alternatively Shrike-like Cotinga/Laniisoma.
- Brazilian Laniisoma (Laniisoma (elegans) elegans).
- Andean Laniisoma (Laniisoma (elegans) buckleyi).
- Elegant Mourner (Laniisoma elegans); alternatively Shrike-like Cotinga/Laniisoma.
- genus Xenopsaris; possibly better merged with Pachyramphus.
- White-naped XenopsarisWhite-naped XenopsarisThe White-naped Xenopsaris, Xenopsaris albinucha, is a species of bird in the Tityridae family. The species is also known as the Reed Becard. It has traditionally been placed in Cotingidae or Tyrannidae, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae, where now placed by SACC...
(Xenopsaris albinucha) .
- White-naped Xenopsaris
- genus PachyramphusPachyramphusPachyramphus is a genus of bird in the Tityridae family which includes the species commonly known as the becards. It has traditionally been placed in Cotingidae or Tyrannidae, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae, where now placed by SACC. Depending on taxonomy, the genus...
.- Green-backed BecardGreen-backed BecardThe Green-backed Becard is a species of bird in the Tityridae family. It has traditionally been placed in Cotingidae or Tyrannidae, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae, where now placed by SACC...
(Pachyramphus viridis).- Yellow-cheeked BecardYellow-cheeked BecardThe Yellow-cheeked Becard, Pachyramphus xanthogenys, is a species of passerine bird in the Tityridae family. It has traditionally been placed in Cotingidae or Tyrannidae, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae, where now placed by SACC...
(Pachyramphus (viridis) xanthogenys).
- Yellow-cheeked Becard
- Barred BecardBarred BecardThe Barred Becard, Pachyramphus versicolor, is a small passerine bird which is a resident breeding species in highlands from Costa Rica to northwestern Ecuador and northern Bolivia...
(Pachyramphus versicolor). - Slaty BecardSlaty BecardThe Slaty Becard is a species of bird in the Tityridae family. It has traditionally been placed in Cotingidae or Tyrannidae, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae, where now placed by SACC....
(Pachyramphus spodiurus). - Cinereous BecardCinereous BecardThe Cinereous Becard is a species of bird in the Tityridae family. The term cinereous describes its colouration...
(Pachyramphus rufus). - Cinnamon BecardCinnamon BecardThe Cinnamon Becard, Pachyramphus cinnamomeus, is a passerine bird which is a resident breeding species from southeastern Mexico south to northwestern Ecuador and northwestern Venezuela. It was recently found to be far more common on the Amazonian slope of the Colombian Cordillera Oriental than...
(Pachyramphus cinnamomeus) - Chestnut-crowned BecardChestnut-crowned BecardThe Chestnut-crowned Becard is a species of bird in the Tityridae family. It has traditionally been placed in Cotingidae or Tyrannidae, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae, where now placed by SACC....
(Pachyramphus castaneus). - White-winged BecardWhite-winged BecardThe White-winged Becard is a species of bird in the Tityridae family. It has traditionally been placed in Cotingidae or Tyrannidae, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae. where now placed by SACC...
(Pachyramphus polychopterus). - Black-and-white BecardBlack-and-white BecardThe Black-and-white Becard is a species of bird in the Tityridae family. It has traditionally been placed in Cotingidae or Tyrannidae, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae, where now placed by SACC.It is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Nicaragua,...
(Pachyramphus albogriseus). - Grey-collared BecardGrey-collared BecardThe Grey-collared Becard is a species of bird in the Tityridae family. Its genus, Pachyramphus, has traditionally been placed in Cotingidae or Tyrannidae, but evidence strongly suggests it is better placed in Tityridae....
(Pachyramphus major). - Black-capped BecardBlack-capped BecardThe Black-capped Becard is a species of bird in the Tityridae family. It has traditionally been placed in Cotingidae or Tyrannidae, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae, where now placed by SACC....
(Pachyramphus marginatus). - Glossy-backed BecardGlossy-backed BecardThe Glossy-backed Becard is a species of bird in the Tityridae family. It has traditionally been placed in Cotingidae or Tyrannidae, but evidence strongly suggests that it is better placed in Tityridae, where it is now placed by SACC.It is found in Brazil, French Guiana, and Suriname.Its natural...
(Pachyramphus surinamus). - Rose-throated BecardRose-throated BecardThe Rose-throated Becard is a medium-sized member of the Tityridae family. Its genus, Pachyramphus, has traditionally been placed in Cotingidae or Tyrannidae, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae....
(Pachyramphus aglaiae). - Jamaican BecardJamaican BecardThe Jamaican Becard is a species of bird in the Tityridae family. Its genus, Pachyramphus, has traditionally been placed in Cotingidae or Tyrannidae, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae....
(Pachyramphus ). - One-colored Becard (Pachyramphus homochrous).
- Pink-throated BecardPink-throated BecardThe Pink-throated Becard is a species of bird in the Tityridae family. It has traditionally been placed in Cotingidae or Tyrannidae, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae, where now placed by SACC....
(Pachyramphus minor). - Crested BecardCrested BecardThe Crested Becard , also known as the Plain Becard, is a species of bird in the Tityridae family. It has traditionally been placed in Cotingidae or Tyrannidae, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae, where now placed by SACC.-Distribution and habitat:It is found in...
(Pachyramphus validus).
- Green-backed Becard