Crested Black-Tyrant

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Quick Facts

  • Scientific Name: Knipolegus lophotes
  • Spanish Name: Viudita negra crestada
  • Family: Tyrannidae
  • Known Nicknames: Crested Black Tyrant, Crested Black-Tyrant
  • Average Length: 20–23 cm / 7.9–9.1 in
  • Average Weight: 30–40 g / 1.1–1.4 oz
  • Wingspan: 30–34 cm / 11.8–13.4 in
  • Key Feature: Prominent crest on the crown, glossy black plumage in males
  • Primary Diet: Insectivore
  • Range: Central and eastern South America (Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, northern Argentina)
  • Habitat: Open savannas, grasslands, cerrado, and edge of woodlands
  • Social Structure: Solitary or in pairs
  • Nesting/Breeding: Tree cavities or holes in banks
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern (LC)
  • Population Trend: Stable

The Crested Black-Tyrant (*Knipolegus lophotes*) is a striking, medium-sized passerine bird native to open grasslands and rocky outcrops of central South America, most notably Brazil. Its most unique characteristic is the male’s bold, upright crest of elongated, velvety-black feathers on the crown, which he can raise and lower dramatically during displays. The male is entirely glossy black with a subtle blue sheen, while the female is a more cryptic brownish-gray with a rufous wash on the belly and a less prominent crest. A special behavioral feature is its distinctive, aerial “flutter-flight” display, where the male hovers high above its territory, fluttering its wings rapidly and singing a sharp, metallic whistle, making it a captivating sight against the open sky.

Fun Facts

The male Crested Black-Tyrant performs a bizarre “flutter-jump” courtship display, launching straight up into the air while snapping its bill loudly, then parachuting down with its wings held high. It has a peculiar habit of perching on fence posts or low branches and flicking its tail upward like a nervous metronome, a motion often mistaken for an insect. Despite its drab appearance, the male’s iridescent black plumage can flash deep violet or blue depending on the light, a hidden trick that only reveals itself at the perfect angle. This bird also engages in “anting,” rubbing ants or other acidic insects on its feathers to deter parasites, a behavior rarely documented in its genus.

Habitats & Distribution

The Crested Black-Tyrant inhabits open and semi-open landscapes, primarily in the cerrado savanna, grasslands, and campos rupestres (rocky fields) of central and eastern South America. It is also found in agricultural areas, pastures, and along forest edges, often perching conspicuously on low shrubs or fences. Its geographical range extends from central and southeastern Brazil through eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, and into northern Argentina and Uruguay. The species is generally resident but may undertake local seasonal movements in response to resource availability.

Behaviours & Reproduction

The Crested Black-Tyrant is generally observed alone or in pairs, with a social structure centered around loose territoriality during the breeding season. Males establish and defend small territories, often perching conspicuously to broadcast their presence. Mating is monogamous for the season, and courtship involves the male performing a distinctive aerial display, rising steeply while calling, then descending with wings held in a V-shape. The female alone builds a cup-shaped nest, typically in a tree cavity or sheltered fork, using grass and rootlets. She incubates a clutch of two to three eggs for about 15 days, during which the male brings food to the nest. After hatching, both parents feed the chicks, but the female broods them more intensively. A unique reproductive strategy is the species’ reliance on natural or old woodpecker cavities for nesting, which limits breeding density and ties reproductive success to the availability of these specific microhabitats. Fledging occurs around 17–19 days post-hatching, and the young may remain with the parents for several weeks after leaving the nest.

Diet

The Crested Black-Tyrant is primarily an insectivore, with its diet consisting almost entirely of various arthropods captured in flight or gleaned from vegetation. It is an adept aerial forager, frequently sallying from a prominent perch to snatch flying insects like beetles, moths, and flies mid-air. Interestingly, despite its name suggesting a predatory nature, it does not regularly consume small vertebrates or fruit, making its diet more specialized than many other tyrant flycatchers. Another notable detail is its foraging strategy in open, arid habitats; it often perches on low fences or dead branches in grasslands and scrublands of southern South America, scanning for prey with quick head movements before launching short, direct flights to secure its meal.

Colors

The male Crested Black-Tyrant is entirely glossy black with a subtle blue or violet sheen, featuring a distinctive, erectile crest on its nape. Females are dark brown above with paler, streaked underparts and a rufous rump, lacking the crest. Its plain black plumage provides camouflage against dark, charred trees in its fire-prone grassland habitat.

Distribution Map

Places linked to this species. A sighting is never guaranteed.