Crested Black-Tyrant

The crested black tyrant is 20 to 21 cm (7.9 to 8.3 in) long. Unique in its genus, it has a long thin crest. The sexes have the same plumage; males are slightly larger than females. Adults are almost entirely glossy blue-black. Their remiges have white bases that are conspicuous in flight but usually not visible at rest. Both sexes have a dark red or reddish-brown iris, a black bill, and black legs and feet. The crested black tyrant and the phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens), a member of the silky-flycatcher family Ptiliogonatidae, are almost alike in appearance. Often such a close resemblance is a result of competitive mimicry. They inhabit similar landscapes, however their ranges are more than 4,000 km (2,500 mi) apart so mimicry cannot be the reason.

The crested black tyrant is found in Brazil from southern Bahia south to Rio Grande do Sul and west to southern Mato Grosso and its range continues into northern and eastern Uruguay. There is a small separate population in Amambay Department in eastern Paraguay. The species inhabits shrubby cerrado grasslands and pastures, usually those with some stands of trees. In elevation it ranges from near sea level to 1,100 m (3,600 ft).

The crested black tyrant feeds mostly on insects and occasionally includes small fruits in its diet. It usually forages in pairs, though not close to each other. It captures prey with sallies from a perch.