Masked Tityra
Tityra semifasciata
About This Species
Look for this striking black-and-white bird perched conspicuously on bare branches at forest edges and clearings from Mexico through Central America, where its pale body and black facial mask stand out against green canopy. It gives a distinctive rasping, frog-like call and often sits still for long stretches between short sallies for fruit and insects. It nests in tree cavities, so mixed forest with old or dead trees nearby is the best place to look.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Viewing from beneath the perch tree at a normal birdwatching distance is sufficient and keeps the bird from being flushed.
- Avoid approaching or disturbing cavity nests directly, since nesting birds are protected under wildlife law in the countries across its range, even though the specific statutes differ.
- If a bird gives repeated alarm calls or leaves its perch as you approach, that is the signal to retreat rather than move closer.
LCAvesPasseriformesCotingidae
Seasonal Activity
348,114 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Cotingidae
Photo
(c) Frédéric LEVIEZ, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Frédéric LEVIEZ
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.