Masked Tityra (Tityra semifasciata)

Order: Passeriformes | Family: Tityridae | IUCN Status: Least Concern

masked_tityra
Age: Adult | Sex: Male | Loc. Amazonia, Colombia

masked_tityra
Age: Adult | Sex: Female | Loc. Manaus, Brazil

masked_tityra
Age: Adult | Sex: Female | Male | Loc. Amazonia, Colombia

masked_tityra
Age: Adult | Sex: Female | Loc. Amazonia, Colombia


Identification & Behavior:~21.5 (8.4 in). The male Masked Tityra is mostly white with a black mask restricted to the base of the bill and around the eyes. The tail is black with white terminal tips. The female has a gray head and back, with white underparts. The tail is light gray. Both sexes have a bright red base of the bill and broad orbital skin. It forages in the forest canopy and forest edges. It is similar to the male Black-tailed Tityra but is distinguished by having black restricted to just around the base of the bill and eyes (a black mask) and by a black tail with white tips. The female is distinguished by having a gray head and back, and a gray tail. Also, see Black-crowned Tityra.

Status: The Masked Tityra is common and widespread in Amazonia where it is known to range up to 1600 m along the foothill of the Andes. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Titira Enmascarada.

Sub-species: Masked Tityra (Tityra semifasciata fortis), Berlepsch and Stolzmann, 1896.

Meaning of Name: Tityra: Gr Tityrus= In Greek mithology, the name of a rustic shepherd in Virgil’s Eclogues. semifasciata: L. semi, semissis= small, half and fascia, fasciatus= band, banded.

See more of the Family Tityridae peru aves

Distribution Map
masked_tityraVoice


References:

    • Species range based on: Schulenberg, T. S., D. F. Stotz, and L. Rico. 2006. Distribution maps of the birds of Peru, version 1.0. Environment, Culture & Conservation (ECCo). The Field Museum.  http://fm2.fieldmuseum.org/uw_test/birdsofperu on 03/01/2016.