Masked Tityra
Tityra semifasciata
Masked Tityras often nest in abandoned woodpecker holes and will aggressively defend these cavities from other bird species.
- Scientific name
- Tityra semifasciata
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Tityridae › Tityra
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Canopy of humid lowland forests, semi-open woodlands, and forest edges.
- Diet
- Omnivorous, feeding on a variety of small fruits, berries, and insects caught mid-air.
- Range
- Mexico, Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Peru
- Size
- 20 to 22 cm in length, weighing 70 to 85 grams.
- Lifespan
- 5 to 8 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Deforestation and habitat fragmentation, though they are somewhat tolerant of forest edges and secondary growth.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. These birds stay high in the forest canopy and pose absolutely no threat to humans. Observe them safely from a distance with binoculars. If you find a grounded or injured bird, contact a local licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
The masked tityra ( Tityra semifasciata ) is a medium-sized passerine bird. It has traditionally been placed in the cotinga or the tyrant flycatcher family, but evidence strongly suggests that it is better placed in Tityridae, where now placed by SACC.
Photo: Sebastián de Jesús Herrera Buenfil, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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