(noun) The Latin scientific family name for tyrant flycatchers, the largest family of bird species. With more than 400 species in the Tyrannidae family, there is great variation for bird size, shape, color and other characteristics, but these passerines do share several common features, including:
- Exclusive to North and South America, with the greatest diversity in Central and South America
- Relatively drab, plain plumage, though some species do have spectacular color
- Primarily insectivorous diets
- Adapted to a wide range of habitats, though most species prefer wooded areas
- Forage through gleaning and hawking, returning to a perch to feed
Because of the dull, unremarkable plumage of many of these birds, voice is often essential for proper identification and birders who are able to bird by ear can have better success identifying tyrant flycatchers.
Familiar examples of birds in the Tyrannidae family include the western kingbird, black phoebe, vermilion flycatcher, scissor-tailed flycatcher, great kiskadee and yellow tyrannulet.
Photo – Eastern Kingbird © Josh Henderson
TIH-rahn-ih-deye or tye-RAN-ih-day
Tyrant Flycatchers
