Tyrant flycatcher
Encyclopedia
The tyrant flycatchers are a family
of passerine
birds which occur throughout North
and South America
. They are considered the largest family of birds on Earth, with more than 400 species. They are the most diverse
avian family in every country in the Americas
, except for the United States
and Canada
. As could be expected from a family this large, the members vary greatly in shape, patterns, size and colours. Some Tyrant flycatchers superficially resemble the Old World flycatcher
s. They are members of suborder Tyranni
(suboscines) that do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of other songbird
s.
Most, but not all, are rather plain, with various hues of brown, gray and white commonplace. Obvious exceptions include Vermilion Flycatcher
and Ornate Flycatcher
. Some species have erectile crests. Several of the large genera (i.e. Phylloscartes
, Myiarchus
or Empidonax
) are difficult to tell apart in the field due to similar plumage and some are best distinguished by their voices. Some species, such as spadebill
s, are quite shy and live in dense forest interiors, while others, such as kingbird
s, are bold, inquisitive and inhabit disturbed, open areas of human habitations. As the name implies, a great majority of tyrant-flycatchers are entirely insectivorous
but food can vary greatly and some (like the large Great Kiskadee
) will eat fruit or small vertebrates (e.g. small frog
s). In North America
, most species are associated with a "sallying
" feeding style, where they fly up to catch an insect directly from their perch and then immediately return to the same perch. Most tropical species however do not feed in this fashion and several types prefer to glean
insects from leaves and barks. Tropical species are often found in Mixed-species foraging flocks, where various types of passerines are found feeding in proximity.
The smallest family members are the closely related Short-tailed Pygmy Tyrant
and Black-capped Pygmy Tyrant. With a total length of a mere 6.5-6.8 cm (2.5-2.7 in) and a weight of 4-5 grams, they are the smallest passerines on earth. The largest tyrant flycatcher is the Great Shrike-Tyrant
at 29 cm (11.5 in) and 99.2 grams (3.5 oz). A few species such as the Streamer-tailed Tyrant
, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
and Fork-tailed Flycatcher
have a larger total length (up to 41 cm/16 in), but this is mainly due to their extremely long tails.
A number of species previously included in this family are now placed in the family Tityridae
(see Systematics).
of Tyrannidae, when compared to habitat
, is highly variable, although most every land habitat in the Americas has at least some number of these birds. The habitats of tropical lowland evergreen forest and montane evergreen forest have the highest single site species diversity while many habitats including rivers, palm forest, white sand forest, tropical deciduous forest edge, southern temperate forest, southern temperate forest edge, semi-humid/humid montane scrub, and northern temperate grassland
have the lowest single species diversity. The variation between the highest and the lowest is extreme; ninety species can be found in the tropical lowland evergreen forests while the number of species that can be found in the habitats listed above typically are in the single digits. This may be due in part to the fewer niche
s found in certain areas and therefore fewer places for the species to occupy.
Tyrannidae specialization among habitat is very strong in tropical lowland evergreen forests and montane evergreen forests. These habitat types therefore display the greatest specialization. The counts differ by three species (tropical lowland evergreen forests have 49 endemic species and montane evergreen forests have 46 endemic species). It can be assumed that they both have similar levels of specialization.
Regionally, the Atlantic Forest has the highest species richness
with the Chocó following closely behind.
.http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/intrnltr/mbta/mbtandx.html. Both these species are common south of the US border. The situation for a number of other species from South and Central America is far more problematic. In 2007, BirdLife International
(and consequently IUCN) considered two species, the Minas Gerais Tyrannulet
and Kaempfer's Tody-Tyrant
critically endangered
. Both are endemic to Brazil. Additional, 7 species were considered endangered and 18 species vulnerable
.
. A full list, sortable by common and binomial names is at list of tyrant flycatchers. Species in the genera Tityra
, Pachyramphus
, Laniocera
and Xenopsaris have been placed in this family, but evidence strongly suggest they belong in Tityridae
, where now placed by SACC.
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
of passerine
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 which occur throughout North
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
and South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. They are considered the largest family of birds on Earth, with more than 400 species. They are the most diverse
Species richness
Species richness is the number of different species in a given area. It is represented in equation form as S.Species richness is the fundamental unit in which to assess the homogeneity of an environment. Typically, species richness is used in conservation studies to determine the sensitivity of...
avian family in every country in the Americas
Americas
The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...
, except for the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. As could be expected from a family this large, the members vary greatly in shape, patterns, size and colours. Some Tyrant flycatchers superficially resemble the Old World flycatcher
Old World flycatcher
The Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae is a large family of small passerine birds mostly restricted to the Old World. These are mainly small arboreal insectivores, many of which, as the name implies, take their prey on the wing.-Characteristics:...
s. They are members of suborder Tyranni
Tyranni
The suborder of passerine birds Tyranni includes about 1,000 species, the large majority of which are South American. It is named after the type genus Tyrannus....
(suboscines) that do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of other songbird
Songbird
A songbird is a bird belonging to the suborder Passeri of the perching birds . Another name that is sometimes seen as scientific or vernacular name is Oscines, from Latin oscen, "a songbird"...
s.
Most, but not all, are rather plain, with various hues of brown, gray and white commonplace. Obvious exceptions include Vermilion Flycatcher
Vermilion Flycatcher
The Vermilion Flycatcher is a small passerine bird in the Tyrannidae, or tyrant flycatcher family. Most flycatchers are rather drab, but the Vermilion Flycatcher is a striking exception...
and Ornate Flycatcher
Ornate Flycatcher
The Ornate Flycatcher is a species of bird in the Tyrannidae family. It is the only member of the genus Myiotriccus. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru....
. Some species have erectile crests. Several of the large genera (i.e. Phylloscartes
Phylloscartes
Phylloscartes is a genus of small birds in the Tyrannidae family. They are found in wooded habitats of Central and South America. The Mottled-cheeked Tyrannulet is among the commonest birds in its range, but several other species are rare and threatened. Their plumage is predominantly green,...
, Myiarchus
Myiarchus
Myiarchus is a genus of tyrant flycatchers. They are all fairly similar looking and areas where they overlap in range can making identification to species difficult at best....
or Empidonax
Empidonax
The genus Empidonax is a group of small insect-eating passerine birds in the tyrant flycatcher family, the Tyrannidae.Most of these birds are remarkably similar in plumage: olive on the upper parts with light underparts, eye rings and wing bars...
) are difficult to tell apart in the field due to similar plumage and some are best distinguished by their voices. Some species, such as spadebill
Spadebill
A spadebill is any of seven species of Central and South American passerine birds of the genus Platyrinchus:* Cinnamon-crested Spadebill, Platyrinchus saturatus* Stub-tailed Spadebill, Platyrinchus cancrominus...
s, are quite shy and live in dense forest interiors, while others, such as kingbird
Kingbird
The genus Tyrannus is a group of large insect-eating birds in the Tyrant flycatcher family Tyrannidae. The majority are named as Kingbirds.They prefer semi-open or open areas. These birds wait on an exposed perch and then catch insects in flight...
s, are bold, inquisitive and inhabit disturbed, open areas of human habitations. As the name implies, a great majority of tyrant-flycatchers are entirely insectivorous
Insectivore
An insectivore is a type of carnivore with a diet that consists chiefly of insects and similar small creatures. An alternate term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of eating insects....
but food can vary greatly and some (like the large Great Kiskadee
Great Kiskadee
The Great Kiskadee, Pitangus sulphuratus, is a passerine bird. It is a large tyrant flycatcher; sometimes its genus Pitangus is considered monotypic, with the Lesser Kiskadee The Great Kiskadee, Pitangus sulphuratus, is a passerine bird. It is a large tyrant flycatcher; sometimes its genus Pitangus...
) will eat fruit or small vertebrates (e.g. small frog
Frog
Frogs are amphibians in the order Anura , formerly referred to as Salientia . Most frogs are characterized by a short body, webbed digits , protruding eyes and the absence of a tail...
s). In North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, most species are associated with a "sallying
Hawking (birds)
Hawking is a feeding strategy in birds involving catching flying insects in the air. The term usually refers to a technique of sallying out from a perch to snatch an insect and then returning to the same or a different perch...
" feeding style, where they fly up to catch an insect directly from their perch and then immediately return to the same perch. Most tropical species however do not feed in this fashion and several types prefer to glean
Gleaning (birds)
Gleaning is a term for a feeding strategy by birds in which they catch invertebrate prey, mainly arthropods, by plucking them from foliage or the ground, from crevices such as rock faces and under the eaves of houses, or even, as in the case of ticks and lice, from living animals. This behavior is...
insects from leaves and barks. Tropical species are often found in Mixed-species foraging flocks, where various types of passerines are found feeding in proximity.
The smallest family members are the closely related Short-tailed Pygmy Tyrant
Short-tailed Pygmy Tyrant
The Short-tailed Pygmy Tyrant, Myiornis ecaudatus, is not only the smallest member of the tyrant-flycatcher family, but is also the smallest passerine on earth...
and Black-capped Pygmy Tyrant. With a total length of a mere 6.5-6.8 cm (2.5-2.7 in) and a weight of 4-5 grams, they are the smallest passerines on earth. The largest tyrant flycatcher is the Great Shrike-Tyrant
Great Shrike-tyrant
The Great Shrike-tyrant is a species of bird in the Tyrannidae family.It is found in Argentina and Chile.It is the largest species of tyrant flycatcher at 27.5-31 cm long...
at 29 cm (11.5 in) and 99.2 grams (3.5 oz). A few species such as the Streamer-tailed Tyrant
Streamer-tailed Tyrant
The Streamer-tailed Tyrant is a species of bird in the Tyrannidae family, the only one in the genus Gubernetes.It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay....
, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher is a long-tailed insectivorous bird of the genus, whose members are collectively referred to as kingbirds. The kingbirds are a group of large insectivorous birds in the tyrant flycatcher family...
and Fork-tailed Flycatcher
Fork-tailed Flycatcher
The Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Tyrannus savana, is a passerine bird of the tyrant flycatcher family, and is the member of a genus typically referred to as kingbirds.-Description and ecology:...
have a larger total length (up to 41 cm/16 in), but this is mainly due to their extremely long tails.
A number of species previously included in this family are now placed in the family Tityridae
Tityridae
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 . As yet, no widely accepted common name exists for the family, although Tityras...
(see Systematics).
Habitat and distribution
Species richnessSpecies richness
Species richness is the number of different species in a given area. It is represented in equation form as S.Species richness is the fundamental unit in which to assess the homogeneity of an environment. Typically, species richness is used in conservation studies to determine the sensitivity of...
of Tyrannidae, when compared to habitat
Habitat (ecology)
A habitat is an ecological or environmental area that is inhabited by a particular species of animal, plant or other type of organism...
, is highly variable, although most every land habitat in the Americas has at least some number of these birds. The habitats of tropical lowland evergreen forest and montane evergreen forest have the highest single site species diversity while many habitats including rivers, palm forest, white sand forest, tropical deciduous forest edge, southern temperate forest, southern temperate forest edge, semi-humid/humid montane scrub, and northern temperate grassland
Grassland
Grasslands are areas where the vegetation is dominated by grasses and other herbaceous plants . However, sedge and rush families can also be found. Grasslands occur naturally on all continents except Antarctica...
have the lowest single species diversity. The variation between the highest and the lowest is extreme; ninety species can be found in the tropical lowland evergreen forests while the number of species that can be found in the habitats listed above typically are in the single digits. This may be due in part to the fewer niche
Ecological niche
In ecology, a niche is a term describing the relational position of a species or population in its ecosystem to each other; e.g. a dolphin could potentially be in another ecological niche from one that travels in a different pod if the members of these pods utilize significantly different food...
s found in certain areas and therefore fewer places for the species to occupy.
Tyrannidae specialization among habitat is very strong in tropical lowland evergreen forests and montane evergreen forests. These habitat types therefore display the greatest specialization. The counts differ by three species (tropical lowland evergreen forests have 49 endemic species and montane evergreen forests have 46 endemic species). It can be assumed that they both have similar levels of specialization.
Regionally, the Atlantic Forest has the highest species richness
Species richness
Species richness is the number of different species in a given area. It is represented in equation form as S.Species richness is the fundamental unit in which to assess the homogeneity of an environment. Typically, species richness is used in conservation studies to determine the sensitivity of...
with the Chocó following closely behind.
Protected status
The Northern Beardless Tyrannulet (Camptostoma imberbe) and the Rose-throated Becard (Pachyramphus aglaiae) are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 , codified at , is a United States federal law, at first enacted in 1916 in order to implement the convention for the protection of migratory birds between the United States and Great Britain...
.http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/intrnltr/mbta/mbtandx.html. Both these species are common south of the US border. The situation for a number of other species from South and Central America is far more problematic. In 2007, BirdLife International
BirdLife International
BirdLife International is a global Partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources...
(and consequently IUCN) considered two species, the Minas Gerais Tyrannulet
Minas Gerais Tyrannulet
The Minas Gerais Tyrannulet is a species of bird in the Tyrannidae family.It is endemic to Brazil.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:...
and Kaempfer's Tody-Tyrant
Kaempfer's Tody-Tyrant
Kaempfer's Tody-tyrant is a rare species of bird in the family Tyrannidae. It is endemic to the Atlantic forest in southeastern Brazil. It was known only from two specimens until the 1990s, when it was finally observed in life...
critically endangered
Critically endangered
Version 2010.3 of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 3744 Critically Endangered species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and subpopulations.Critically Endangered by kingdom:*1993 Animalia*2 Fungi*1745 Plantae*4 Protista-References:...
. Both are endemic to Brazil. Additional, 7 species were considered endangered and 18 species vulnerable
Vulnerable species
On 30 January 2010, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 9694 Vulnerable species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and sub-populations.-References:...
.
Systematics
There are about 400 species in 97 generaGenus
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...
. A full list, sortable by common and binomial names is at list of tyrant flycatchers. Species in the genera 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...
, 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...
and Xenopsaris have been placed in this family, but evidence strongly suggest they belong in Tityridae
Tityridae
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 . As yet, no widely accepted common name exists for the family, although Tityras...
, where now placed by SACC.
- Genus OrnithionOrnithionOrnithion is a genus of bird in the Tyrannidae family.It contains the following species:* Brown-capped Tyrannulet * White-lored Tyrannulet * Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet...
(3 species) - Genus CamptostomaCamptostomaCamptostoma is a small genus of tyrant flycatchers. It contains two species.* Northern Beardless Tyrannulet, Camptostoma imberbe * Southern Beardless Tyrannulet, Camptostoma obsoletum...
(2 species) - Genus Phaeomyias - Mouse-colored Tyrannulet
- Genus Nesotriccus - Cocos Island Flycatcher
- Genus Capsiempis - Yellow Tyrannulet
- Genus Tyrannulus - Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet
- Genus MyiopagisMyiopagisMyiopagis is a genus of bird in the Tyrannidae family, the tyrant flycatchers. These species are closely related to the genus Elaenia but are generally smaller.The genus contains the following species:* Grey Elaenia...
(7 species) - Genus Pseudelaenia - Gray-and-white Tyrannulet
- Genus ElaeniaElaeniaElaenia is a genus of passerine birds in the tyrant flycatcher family which occur in Central and South America. Except by voice, specific identification is often difficult since many species are very similar....
(18 species) - Genus SerpophagaSerpophagaSerpophaga is a genus of bird found in Central and South America. The genus is in the family Tyrannidae, the Tyrant Flycatchers.It contains the following species:* Torrent Tyrannulet * River Tyrannulet...
(5 species) - Genus MionectesMionectesMionectes is a genus of birds in the Tyrannidae family.It contains the following species:* Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, Mionectes oleagineus* Streak-necked Flycatcher, Mionectes striaticollis* Olive-striped Flycatcher, Mionectes olivaceus...
(5 species) - Genus LeptopogonLeptopogonLeptopogon is a genus of bird in the Tyrannidae family.It contains the following species:* Rufous-breasted Flycatcher, Leptopogon rufipectus* Inca Flycatcher, Leptopogon taczanowskii* Sepia-capped Flycatcher, Leptopogon amaurocephalus...
(4 species) - Genus PseudotriccusPseudotriccusPseudotriccus is a genus of bird in the Tyrannidae family.It contains the following species:* Bronze-olive Pygmy-tyrant * Rufous-headed Pygmy-tyrant...
(3 species) - Genus PhylloscartesPhylloscartesPhylloscartes is a genus of small birds in the Tyrannidae family. They are found in wooded habitats of Central and South America. The Mottled-cheeked Tyrannulet is among the commonest birds in its range, but several other species are rare and threatened. Their plumage is predominantly green,...
(23 species) - Genus PhyllomyiasPhyllomyiasPhyllomyias is a genus of small birds in the tyrant-flycatcher family Tyrannidae. They are found in wooded habitats of Central and South America. Some species are among the commonest birds in their range, while other are rare and threatened...
(14 species) - Genus ZimmeriusZimmeriusZimmerius is a genus of Neotropical birds in the Tyrannidae family.-Species:* Paltry Tyrannulet .* Venezuelan Tyrannulet .* Bolivian Tyrannulet ....
(10 species) - Genus SublegatusSublegatusSublegatus is a genus of bird in the Tyrannidae family.It contains the following species:* Northern Scrub Flycatcher * Southern Scrub Flycatcher * Amazonian Scrub Flycatcher...
(3 species) - Genus SuiririSuiririSuiriri is a genus of bird in the Tyrannidae family. It contains the following species:* Suiriri Flycatcher, Suiriri suiriri** Chaco Suiriri, Suiriri suiriri** Campo Suiriri, Suiriri affinis...
(2 species) - Genus MecocerculusMecocerculusMecocerculus is a genus of bird in the Tyrannidae family.It contains the following species:* White-throated Tyrannulet, Mecocerculus leucophrys* White-tailed Tyrannulet, Mecocerculus poecilocercus...
(6 species) - Genus Inezia (4 species)
- Genus StigmaturaStigmaturaThe wagtail-tyrants are a genus, Stigmatura, of small South American birds in the Tyrannidae family. They are yellow below and have long black-and-white tails that frequently are held cocked.-Species:...
(2 species) - Genus Anairetes - tit-tyrants (8 species)
- Genus Tachuris - Many-colored Rush-tyrant
- Genus Culicivora - Sharp-tailed Grass-Tyrant
- Genus Polystictus (2 species)
- Genus PseudocolopteryxPseudocolopteryxPseudocolopteryx is a genus of bird in the Tyrannidae family. They are found in marshy habitats in South America. All have yellow underparts.-Species:* Crested Doradito...
(4 species) - Genus EuscarthmusEuscarthmusEuscarthmus is a genus of bird in the Tyrannidae family. It contains the following species:* Tawny-crowned Pygmy-tyrant * Rufous-sided Pygmy-tyrant...
(2 species) - Genus MyiornisMyiornisThe pygmy tyrants, are a bird genus, Myiornis, in the Tyrannidae family. Discounting the hummingbirds, they are some of the smallest birds in the world.The following species are contained in Myiornis:...
(4 species) - Genus LophotriccusLophotriccusLophotriccus is a genus of bird in the Tyrannidae family.It contains the following species:* Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant, Lophotriccus pileatus* Double-banded Pygmy Tyrant, Lophotriccus vitiosus...
(5 species) - Genus OncostomaOncostomaOncostoma is a genus of bird in the Tyrannidae family.It contains the following species:* Northern Bentbill * Southern Bentbill...
(2 species) - Genus PoecilotriccusPoecilotriccusPoecilotriccus is a genus of small birds in the Tyrannidae family. Except for the recently described Johnson's Tody-Flycatcher, all have, at one point or another, been included in the genus Todirostrum. Some species have been known as tody-tyrants instead of tody-flycatchers...
(12 species) - Genus Taeniotriccus - Black-chested Tyrant
- Genus HemitriccusHemitriccusHemitriccus is a genus of small South American birds in the Tyrannidae family. They are commonly known as tody-tyrants or bamboo-tyrants, but the former name is also shared with several members of the genus Poecilotriccus...
- typical tody-tyrants (20 species) - Genus TodirostrumTodirostrumTodirostrum is a bird genus in the family Tyrannidae. They and the members of the genus Poecilotriccus are generally known as tody-flycatchers...
- typical tody-flycatchers (7 species, others now in Poecilotriccus) - Genus CorythopisCorythopisThe antpipits, Corythopis, are a genus of birds in the Tyrannidae family.It contains the following species:* Ringed Antpipit, Corythopis torquata* Southern Antpipit, Corythopis delalandi...
- antpipits (2 species) - Genus Cnipodectes (2 species)
- Genus RamphotrigonRamphotrigonRamphotrigon is a genus of flat-billed tyrant flycatchers. It contains 3 species:* Bamboo Flatbill, Ramphotrigon megacephala* Dusky-tailed Flatbill, Ramphotrigon fuscicauda* Rufous-tailed Flatbill, Ramphotrigon ruficauda...
(3 species) - Genus RhynchocyclusRhynchocyclusRhynchocyclus is a genus of flat-billed tyrant flycatchers. It contains 4 species:* Eye-ringed Flatbill, Rhynchocyclus brevirostris* Pacific Flatbill, Rhynchocyclus pacificus* Olivaceous Flatbill, Rhynchocyclus olivaceus...
(4 species) - Genus TolmomyiasTolmomyiasTolmomyias is a genus of Neotropical birds in the Tyrannidae family. They are notoriously difficult to identify, except by voice. Their taxonomy is complex and it is likely some of the below "species" actually include several species level taxa. The name flatbill is often replaced by the more...
(5 species) - Genus Platyrinchus - spadebills (7 species)
- Genus Onychorhynchus - Royal Flycatchers (1-4 species, depending on taxonomy)
- Genus Myiotriccus - Ornate Flycatcher
- Genus MyiophobusMyiophobusMyiophobus is a genus of bird in the Tyrannidae family.It contains the following species:* Olive-chested Flycatcher * Flavescent Flycatcher * Unadorned Flycatcher...
(9 species) - Genus Terenotriccus - Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher
- Genus MyiobiusMyiobiusMyiobius is a genus of bird in the Tyrannidae family.It contains the following species:* Tawny-breasted Myiobius * Whiskered Myiobius * Sulphur-rumped Myiobius...
(5 species) - Genus Neopipo - Cinnamon Tyrant
- Genus Pyrrhomyias - Cinnamon Flycatcher
- Genus Hirundinea - Cliff Flycatcher and Swallow Flycatcher
- Genus Cnemotriccus - Fuscous Flycatcher
- Genus LathrotriccusLathrotriccusLathrotriccus is a small genus of passerine birds in the tyrant flycatcher family. They breed in tropical South America, including, for one species, the islands of Trinidad and formerly also Grenada....
(2 species) - Genus AphanotriccusAphanotriccusAphanotriccus is a small genus of passerine birds in the tyrant flycatcher family. They breed in the Caribbean lowlands and foothills of Central America.There are just two species...
(2 species) - Genus XenotriccusXenotriccusXenotriccus is a genus of bird in the Tyrannidae family.It contains the following species:* Belted Flycatcher * Pileated Flycatcher...
(2 species) - Genus MitrephanesMitrephanesMitrephanes is a genus of bird in the Tyrannidae family.It contains the following species:* Northern Tufted Flycatcher, Mitrephanes phaeocercus* Olive Tufted Flycatcher, Mitrephanes olivaceus...
(2 species) - Genus Contopus - pewees (14 species)
- Genus EmpidonaxEmpidonaxThe genus Empidonax is a group of small insect-eating passerine birds in the tyrant flycatcher family, the Tyrannidae.Most of these birds are remarkably similar in plumage: olive on the upper parts with light underparts, eye rings and wing bars...
(15 species) - Genus Sayornis - phoebes (3 species)
- Genus Pyrocephalus - Vermilion Flycatcher
- Genus OchthoecaOchthoecaOchthoeca is a genus of birds in the Tyrannidae family.In recent times, ist has usually contained the following species:* Brown-backed Chat-tyrant, Ochthoeca fumicolor* White-browed Chat-tyrant, Ochthoeca leucophrys...
(9 species) - Genus Tumbezia - Tumbes Tyrant
- Genus Colorhamphus - Patagonian Tyrant
- Genus Ochthornis - Drab Water-tyrant
- Genus Cnemarchus - Red-rumped Bush-tyrant
- Genus MyiotheretesMyiotheretesMyiotheretes is a genus of bird in the Tyrannidae family. These superficially thrush-like birds are large tyrants of the Andean highlands.The Red-rumped Bush-tyrant is considered closely related...
(4 species) - Genus XolmisXolmisXolmis is a genus of bird in the Tyrannidae family.It contains the following species:* Fire-eyed Diucon * Grey Monjita * Black-crowned Monjita * White-rumped Monjita...
(8 species, including Heteroxolmis) - Genus Neoxolmis - Chocolate-vented Tyrant
- Genus Agriornis - shrike-tyrants (5 species)
- Genus Polioxolmis - Rufous-webbed Tyrant
- Genus Muscisaxicola - ground-tyrants (13 species)
- Genus Muscigralla - Short-tailed Field-tyrant
- Genus LessoniaLessonia (bird)This birds-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by [/w/index.php?stub&title=&action=edit expanding it].Lessonia is a South American genus of birds in the tyrant flycatcher family, found near freshwater lakes and saline marshes. They are:* Andean Negrito, Lessonia oreas*...
(2 species) - Genus KnipolegusKnipolegusKnipolegus is the genus of black-tyrants, bird in the Tyrannidae family.It contains the following species:* Cinereous Tyrant, Knipolegus striaticeps* Hudson's Black-tyrant, Knipolegus hudsoni...
- black-tyrants (11 species) - Genus Hymenops - Spectacled Tyrant
- Genus FluvicolaFluvicolaFluvicola is a genus of bird in the Tyrannidae family.It contains the following species:* Pied Water-tyrant, Fluvicola pica* Black-backed Water-tyrant, Fluvicola albiventer* Masked Water-tyrant, Fluvicola nengeta...
- typical water-tyrants (3 species) - Genus Arundinicola - White-headed Marsh-tyrant
- Genus AlectrurusAlectrurusAlectrurus is a genus of birds in the Tyrannidae family.It contains the following species:* Cock-tailed Tyrant, Alectrurus tricolor* Strange-tailed Tyrant, Alectrurus risora...
(2 species) - Genus Gubernetes - Streamer-tailed Tyrant
- Genus Satrapa - Yellow-browed Tyrant
- Genus Colonia - Long-tailed Tyrant
- Genus Machetornis - Cattle Tyrant
- Genus Muscipipra - Shear-tailed Gray Tyrant
- Genus AttilaAttila (genus)Attila is a genus of tropical passerine birds, the attilas. They belong to the tyrant flycatcher family. The species in this genus have large heads and hooked bills; they are markedly predatory and aggressive for their size - hence the scientific and common names, which refer to Attila the...
- attilas (7-8 species) - Genus CasiornisCasiornisCasiornis is a genus of bird in the Tyrannidae family.It contains the following species:* Rufous Casiornis, Casiornis rufus* Ash-throated Casiornis, Casiornis fuscus...
(2 species) - Genus SirystesSirystesThe Sirystes is a species of bird in the Tyrannidae family. It is sometimes split into the Eastern Syristes S. sibilator and the Western Syristes S. albogriseus.-Distribution and habitat:...
- Sirystes - Genus RhytipternaRhytipternaRhytipterna is a genus of bird in the Tyrannidae family. They share the common name "mourner" with several species in the family Tityridae.-Species:* Pale-bellied Mourner * Greyish Mourner...
(3 species) - Genus MyiarchusMyiarchusMyiarchus is a genus of tyrant flycatchers. They are all fairly similar looking and areas where they overlap in range can making identification to species difficult at best....
(22 species) - Genus Deltarhynchus - Flammulated Flycatcher
- Genus PitangusPitangusPitangus, the kiskadees, is a genus of birds in the tyrant flycatcher family, Tyrannidae. The generic name is derived from a Tupi word for the birds.-Species:* Lesser Kiskadee, Pitangus lictor – sometimes separated in Philohydor...
- kiskadees (2 species, includes Philohydor) - Genus Megarynchus - Boat-billed Flycatcher
- Genus MyiozetetesMyiozetetesMyiozetetes is a small genus of passerine birds in the tyrant flycatcher family. The four to five species occur in tropical Central and South America...
(4-5 species) - Genus ConopiasConopiasConopias is a genus of bird in the Tyrannidae family.It contains the following species:* White-ringed Flycatcher, Conopias albovittata* Three-striped Flycatcher, Conopias trivirgata* Yellow-throated Flycatcher, Conopias parva...
(4 species) - Genus MyiodynastesMyiodynastesMyiodynastes is a bird genus in the family Tyrannidae. It contains the following species:* Golden-bellied Flycatcher, Myiodynastes hemichrysus* Golden-crowned Flycatcher, Myiodynastes chrysocephalus...
(5 species) - Genus Legatus - Piratic Flycatcher
- Genus Phelpsia - White-bearded Flycatcher
- Genus Empidonomus - Variegated Flycatcher
- Genus Griseotyrannus - Crowned Slaty Flycatcher (formerly in Empidonomus)
- Genus Tyrannopsis - Sulphury Flycatcher
- Genus Tyrannus - kingbirds (13 species)
External links
- Tyrant Flycatcher videos on the Internet Bird Collection