Tityridae – Tityras, Becards & Allies

The Tityridae is a family of suboscine passerines found in forest and woodland in the Neotropics. The approximately 36 species, in 7 genera in this family were formerly spread over the families Tyrannidae, Pipridae and Cotingidae. As yet, no widely accepted common name exists for the family, although ‘tityras, becards and allies’ is used in the recently published unified AviList (2025).

Following DNA sequencing the Tityridae no longer accommodates the Sharpbill, which has now been separated into its own family, Oxyruncidae consisting of that single species. Moreover, the Royal Flycatchers and allies have also been separated out into their own family, Onychorhynchidae.

Cinnamon Becard Pachyramphus cinnamomeus – ©John Afdem

Those genera remaining in the family Tityridae follow the Cotingidae and are followed by the two new families, Oxyruncidae & Onychorhynchidae and the Tyrannidae.

White-naped Xenopsaris Xenopsaris albinucha – ©Dubi Shapiro

They are small to medium-sized birds. Under current classification, the family ranges in size from the Buff-throated Purpletuft, at 9.5cm and 10 grams, to the Masked Tityra, at up to 22cm and 88 grams. Most have relatively short tails and large heads.

Members of the Tityridae family display a stunning array of plumage patterns, from the starkly contrasting black and white of the Black-crowned Tityra Tityra inquisitor to the delicate pinks and greys of the Pink-throated Becard Pachyramphus minor. The rich and varied coloration of these birds serves as camouflage within the dense foliage and plays a crucial role in species recognition and mate selection during the breeding season.

Their beaks also vary greatly in shape and size, reflecting the birds’ feeding habits and diet. Stout, strong beaks allow some tityrids to capture and consume a wide range of insects, while others have more finely tuned beaks perfect for gleaning fruits and berries or even sipping nectar. Some have a very varied diet including a mix of insects, fruit and nectar. They may range across dense forest, more open woodland and savanna aided by their ability to exploit this variety of food types.

Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata – ©Dubi Shapiro

Their breeding is also very varied and, in some cases, includes communal nesting and cooperative breeding where non-breeders assist in raising young. Their nests vary from intricate hanging nests, to using old nests of other species and nesting in holes in trees.

They are found from southern Mexico, through Central America, to northern and central South America, including Trinidad.