Knipolegus nigerrimus
The Velvety Black Tyrant, Knipolegus nigerrimus, is a striking member of the Tyrannidae family, endemic to southeastern Brazil. Males are entirely glossy, velvety black, a feature responsible for its evocative common name, often appearing almost iridescent in sunlight. They typically measure around 18-20 cm (7-8 inches) in length, with a slender build, dark bill, and distinctive bright red irises that pierce through their dark plumage, serving as a key identification mark. Females, however, e...
Found primarily in open rocky areas, montane grasslands (campo rupestre), and stunted woodlands, typically at elevations between 900 and 2800 meters.
Mainly insectivorous, primarily consuming various flying insects such as flies, beetles, and wasps, which are captured in aerial sallies.
This diurnal species is typically observed solitary or in pairs, frequently perching on prominent, exposed rocks or low branches overlooking open terrain. Its foraging strategy is classic flycatching: it sallies out from a perch to snatch insects in mid-air, often returning to the same or a nearb...
The Velvety Black Tyrant is endemic to southeastern Brazil, with its primary distribution concentrated in the states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, and São Paulo. Its range extends further south into Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul, though it becomes more localized...
Least Concern
- The 'Velvety' in its name refers to the exceptionally deep, soft black plumage of the male, which absorbs light in a way that gives it a unique texture and sheen. - Females are strikingly different from males, exhibiting strong sexual dimorphism with olive-brown and rufous plumage, making initi...