Shrike-tyrant
Encyclopedia
The shrike-tyrants, Agriornis, are a genus
of bird
in the tyrant-flycatcher family (Tyrannidae). The members of this genus are found in open habitats in western and southern South America
, usually at high elevations. They are large and heavy billed by tyrant-flycatcher standards, and include the largest representative of the family, the Great Shrike-tyrant
. These five species all have a dull brownish or greyish plumage
. Despite their name any similarity with the shrike
s is superficial. Many field guides note their greater (but also superficial) resemblance to thrush
es.
It contains the following species:
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
in the tyrant-flycatcher family (Tyrannidae). The members of this genus are found in open habitats in western and southern South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
, usually at high elevations. They are large and heavy billed by tyrant-flycatcher standards, and include the largest representative of the family, the Great Shrike-tyrant
Great Shrike-tyrant
The Great Shrike-tyrant is a species of bird in the Tyrannidae family.It is found in Argentina and Chile.It is the largest species of tyrant flycatcher at 27.5-31 cm long...
. These five species all have a dull brownish or greyish plumage
Plumage
Plumage refers both to the layer of feathers that cover a bird and the pattern, colour, and arrangement of those feathers. The pattern and colours of plumage vary between species and subspecies and can also vary between different age classes, sexes, and season. Within species there can also be a...
. Despite their name any similarity with the shrike
Shrike
Shrikes are passerine birds of the family Laniidae. The family is composed of thirty-one species in three genera. The family name, and that of the largest genus, Lanius, is derived from the Latin word for "butcher", and some shrikes were also known as "butcher birds" because of their feeding habits...
s is superficial. Many field guides note their greater (but also superficial) resemblance to thrush
Thrush
-Birds:* Thrush , any of the many birds in the Turdidae family* Antthrush, any of a group of birds within the Formicariidae family* Dohrn's Thrush-babbler , a species of bird in the Timalidae family...
es.
It contains the following species:
- Black-billed Shrike-tyrantBlack-billed Shrike-tyrantThe Black-billed Shrike-tyrant is a species of bird in the Tyrannidae family. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and is a vagrant to the Falkland Islands. It is a large flycatcher at 23-25 cm long...
, Agriornis montana - White-tailed Shrike-tyrantWhite-tailed Shrike-tyrantThe White-tailed Shrike-tyrant is a species of bird in the Tyrannidae family. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru...
, Agriornis andicola - Great Shrike-tyrantGreat Shrike-tyrantThe Great Shrike-tyrant is a species of bird in the Tyrannidae family.It is found in Argentina and Chile.It is the largest species of tyrant flycatcher at 27.5-31 cm long...
, Agriornis livida - Grey-bellied Shrike-tyrantGrey-bellied Shrike-tyrantThe Grey-bellied Shrike-tyrant is a species of bird in the Tyrannidae family.It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.It is a large flycatcher at 24-25.5 cm long...
, Agriornis microptera - Lesser Shrike-tyrantLesser Shrike-tyrantThe Lesser Shrike-tyrant is a species of bird in the Tyrannidae family.It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.-References:...
, Agriornis murina