Crested Black-Tyrant

About the Crested Black-Tyrant

The crested black tyrant (Knipolegus lophotes) is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The crested black tyrant is monotypic. The crested black tyrant is 20 to 21 cm (7.9 to 8.3 in) long. Unique in its genus, it has a long thin crest. The sexes have the same plumage; males are slightly larger than females. Adults are almost entirely glossy blue-black. Their remiges have white bases that are conspicuous in flight but usually not visible at rest. Both sexes have a dark red or reddish-brown iris, a black bill, and black legs and feet.

The crested black tyrant and the phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens), a member of the silky-flycatcher family Ptiliogonatidae, are almost alike in appearance. Often such a close resemblance is a result of competitive mimicry. They inhabit similar landscapes, however their ranges are more than 4,000 km (2,500 mi) apart so mimicry cannot be the reason.

The crested black tyrant is found in Brazil from southern Bahia south to Rio Grande do Sul and west to southern Mato Grosso and its range continues into northern... Wikipedia →