20130831blue-billed_black_tyrant

Blue-billed Black Tyrant

Knipolegus cyanirostris

Meet the author
Miranda Collett
Miranda Collett

Former Airline Captain of B747, Miranda Collett, switched career in 2010 to become a wildlife conservationist, purchasing a former cattle ranch in NE Argentina.

Share the post

We have this species in our woods at Reserva Don Luis.  It has been seen in at least 3 of our woods although normally in the winter.  Although not noted as a migrant, it is amongst many birds that seem to move south in the summer.  It is a member of the Tyranidae family and is found in Paraguay, Uruguay, NE Argentina and SE Brazil.

The Blue-billed Black-Tyrant resembles one of the Cowbirds from a distance, but up close one can see its remarkable red eyes and pale blue bill.

It measures about 14cm and is glossy black all over with a longish tail.

The female is completely different with pale striped underparts, a rufous head and rump and brown upperparts.  She also has a red iris but it is less brilliant than that of the male.

Female Blue-billed Black Tyrant

mosqueta estriada 2-1

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *