AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN LCInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Least Concern — widespread and abundant; not at immediate risk of extinction.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Tityra semifasciata
Masked Tityra
(Spix, 1825)
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
It is a medium-sized bird with a robust appearance, characterized by a predominantly grayish-white or very light pearly plumage that stands out spectacularly under the forest canopy sun. Its most distinctive feature is a striking mask of bright red or carmine bare skin around the eyes, which extends to the base of a strong, thick, and slightly hooked bill, whose basal half is red and the tip is black. It features a black cap covering the forehead and anterior crown, and the wing feathers (primaries and secondaries) along with a wide band on the tail exhibit a deep, contrasting black color. The legs are sturdy and of a dark gray or slate tone.
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TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Chordata
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Aves
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Passeriformes
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Tityridae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Tityra
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Spix, 1825)
Record Completeness
94%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Stable
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
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Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Insectivore
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
It inhabits widely in tropical and subtropical regions from northern Mexico to northwestern South America. In Central America and Costa Rica, it is common on both slopes (Pacific and Caribbean) at elevations ranging from sea level to 1,800 meters in altitude. It prefers the canopy and edges of humid primary forests, mature secondary forests, semi-open areas with scattered tall trees, forest plantations, and regenerating forest clearings, avoiding the dense and gloomy interior of the understory.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
It is a diurnal bird that moves conspicuously and solitarily, or in stable pairs, along the high horizontal branches of the canopy. It inspects the surrounding foliage with deliberate head movements before launching into a short flight to pluck a fruit or capture prey. Although it defends the territory surrounding its nest with great ferocity against other tityras and cavity competitors, outside the breeding season it is relatively tolerant and can temporarily join dense fruiting trees along with other medium-sized bird species.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
They are usually seen solitarily or in strongly associated monogamous pairs that remain together throughout the year. They maintain a regular territorial spacing in the upper canopy and do not form cohesive single-species flocks. Occasionally, they are seen engaging in short-lived aggressive interactions with neighboring tityras if nesting territorial boundaries are crossed.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Omnivore with a strong frugivorous tendency (frugivore-insectivore). Its diet mainly consists of a wide variety of fleshy fruits and berries from the forest canopy (Lauraceae, Burseraceae, Moraceae). It actively supplements this plant base by capturing large arboreal insects such as grasshoppers, cicadas, fleshy caterpillars, and beetles, as well as small lizards of the genus Anolis skillfully snatched from trunks.Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
It acts as a secondary consumer and an important canopy frugivore-insectivore. It is a crucial agent in seed dispersal for large trees such as Ficus, Virola, and various Lauraceae, swallowing the fruits whole and evacuating the viable seeds. It shares the canopy with toucans, Black-crowned Tityras, and cotingas. Its eggs and chicks in cavities are vulnerable to predation by arboreal snakes (Spilotes pullatus), forest falcons, and small climbing mammals such as capuchin monkeys.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
It is a monogamous species where the female takes on nest construction inside a deep cavity, usually an abandoned woodpecker nest or the broken top of a dead palm tree at a high altitude (between 8 and 25 meters). The female sloppily fills the cavity with dry leaves, twigs, and pine needles. She lays 2 to 3 buff or light brown eggs with dark speckles and incubates alone for approximately 18 to 21 days, while the male stays nearby actively guarding against intruders. The chicks are born altricial (helpless and naked) and both parents cooperate intensely bringing berries and large insects during the 23 to 26 days it takes for them to fledge.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
20.0 - 22.0 cm
Weight (Grams)
45 g - 58 g
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.2 - 3
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).Yes
Lifespan
Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.
1 - 2 Years
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
18 - 21
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males7 - 11 Years
Females7 - 11 Years
Sexual DimorphismPhysical differences in size, coloration, or morphology between males and females of this species.
Males Multi-lang
The adult male exhibits a completely black, clean, and well-defined anterior crown and forehead. All the rest of the head, neck, back, and underparts are of a pure white color with a subtle, very pale pearl-gray tint. His red facial bare skin mask is extremely vivid and sharp, contrasting strongly with the white of the body plumage.
Females Multi-lang
The adult female differs by having a dark brown or blackish streaked crown, and presents a diffuse grayish-brown wash on the face, neck, and upper back, giving her a less immaculate appearance than the male. Her red bare skin mask around the eye is slightly less extensive and of a somewhat duller carmine tone.
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Grunt-like Communication Vocalization: Lacking a typical musical song, it has developed short, nasal, and low-pitched calls that sound like a grunt or the wheezing of a pig ('quenk' or 'pzaak'). This acoustic adaptation is highly effective at cutting through high-frequency canopy noise and maintaining contact with its mate without attracting visual predators.
Specialized Bill Morphology: Its strong, broad-based bill with a subtle terminal hook allows it to both pluck large, firm berries and fruits from the canopy, and to beat and immobilize large insects or small lizards against branches before swallowing them whole, maximizing its dietary versatility.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Loss of Cavity Trees: Relying strictly on old woodpecker holes in dry trunks for nesting, the logging of dead trees and urban or agricultural management that removes dead wood drastically reduces their safe breeding sites.
Habitat Fragmentation and Loss of Connectivity: Although it tolerates forest edges, the isolation of primary forest patches limits access to a continuous variety of fruiting trees from the Lauraceae family, forcing them to make exposed flights over open areas.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
The Pig Bird of Costa Rica: In rural areas of Costa Rica it is popularly known as 'pájaro chancho' (pig bird) because its low vocal notes very humorously mimic the characteristic grunt of a small pig.
Cavity Pirates: They have a reputation for being extremely bold and aggressive birds when looking for nests. They have been documented actively evicting woodpeckers and even toucanets from holes they have just excavated to take them over.