Amazonian Black-Tyrant
Knipolegus poecilocercus
A rarely-encountered medium-sized dark flycatcher, most often found in flooded forests along rivers. Both males and females similar to the related Riverside Tyrant, but that species prefers more open habitat. Male Amazonian Black-Tyrant is shiny-black, smaller and glossier than male Riverside. Female Amazonian are warm brown with streaked underparts, considerably warmer in coloration than female Riverside. Notably quiet for a flycatcher.
Identification
The Amazonian black-tyrant is a medium-sized, dark flycatcher. It is usually located in flooded forests along rivers. The species encounters sexual dimorphism. Males are darker, smaller, and glossier than male riverside tyrants. Females are brown with a streaked abdomen. Amazonian black-tyrants are known for being quieter than other flycatchers. The riverside tyrant and Amazonian black-tyrant look similar; however, the riverside tyrant is generally noticed more in open riverine settings.
Taxonomy
The scientific name for the Amazonian black-tyrant is Knipolegus poecilocercus. It was first scientifically described by August von Pelzeln in 1868 in Zur Ornithologie Brasiliens: Resultate von Johann Natterer Reisen in den Jahren 1817 bis 1835. The Amazonian black-tyrant is a part of a monotypic bird family. These birds can also be referred to as Viudita amazonica; in Brazilian Portuguese, they are referred to as the pretinho-do-igapó.
- Scientific name
- Knipolegus poecilocercus
- Authority
- (Pelzeln, 1868)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Tyrannidae
- Genus
- Knipolegus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
Despite a decreasing population trend, the Amazonian black-tyrant is currently classified as "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This species occupies a range considered to be large, meaning how it does not meet the criteria for being classified as "Vulnerable" by the Red List; the population size of the species is also not believed to meet the criteria for a listing of "Vulnerable," although the number of Amazonian black-tyrants is unknown. This species' breeding range covers an area of 4,960,000 square kilometers. Amazonian black-tyrants are distributed across multiple countries.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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