Tyrant Flycatchers, Calyptura

The Tyrant Flycatchers (Tyrannidae) represent the largest bird family globally, with over 400 species thriving across the Americas. They are highly diverse and can be identified by their varying sizes, shapes, and colors, with some species displaying bright hues such as the vermilion flycatcher, while others are more subdued in coloration for camouflage. Although named after the Old World flycatchers, they are not closely related and notably lack the advanced vocal ability of many other songbirds. In terms of behavior, they range from the elusive spadebills, which prefer dense forests, to the conspicuous kingbirds that are often found near human settlements. These birds mostly eat insects, with some, like the great kiskadee, also feeding on fruit and small vertebrates. Their feeding styles vary, with most North American species catching insects in mid-flight from perches, whereas tropical species may glean insects from foliage or join mixed-species foraging groups. The smallest members, like the short-tailed pygmy tyrant, can be as little as 6.5-7 cm in length, whereas the largest, the great shrike-tyrant, can grow to 29 cm, not including species with significantly long tails like the fork-tailed flycatcher. These birds occupy diverse habitats throughout the Americas, with tropical forests boasting the highest species diversity. Conservation status varies, with some species protected by law and others facing critical threats. The family is systematically categorized into numerous genera with the Tyrannidae family, while some have been recently reclassified into the Tityridae family.