Amazonian black tyrant

The Amazonian black-tyrant (Knipolegus poecilocercus) is a species of flycatcher located in the Amazon wetlands. It is a medium-sized bird characterized by its physical features and habitat preference.

Amazonian black-tyrant
A female Amazonian black-tyrant in Anavilhanas National Park, Novo Airão, Amazonas, Brazil
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Tyrannidae
Genus:	Knipolegus
Species:	K. poecilocercus
Binomial name
Knipolegus poecilocercus (Pelzeln, 1868)

Description

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.

Habitat, behavior and ecology

These birds are typically found in or near low-flooded woodlands along the Amazon or Oriconno; however, they can also be found in habitats including forests, shrublands, and wetlands. The ecosystems they occupy are generally terrestrial and inland environments. They can be found hunting insects near the ground or water. Amazonian black-tyrants are nonmigratory birds and have limited movement patterns. They display sedentary behavior within their preferred habitats.

Conservation status

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.