The Masked Tityra (Tityra semifasciata) can grow up to 21 cm and weigh up to 88 grams (Stiles & Skutch 1989, Garrigues & Dean 2007). This species is sexually dimorphic. However, males and females have some similarities in appearance. For example, they have a stout, big head, a banded tail, and brick-red irises (Stiles & Skutch 1989). They also have red coloration on the base of the bill, on the skin between the eyes and nostrils (lores), and on the skin around the eyes (Stiles & Skutch 1989). This red coloration distinguishes it from the similar species, the Black-crowned Tityra, Tityra inquisitor (Ridgely 1981, Garrigues & Dean 2007). The tip of the bill in both males and females is black, and the tail has a black coloration on the distal half, along with a thin white terminal band (Stiles & Skutch 1989). Additionally, both males and females have black underparts of wings (Stiles & Skutch 1989). Yet, males and females can be distinguished from one another through several morphological characteristics. Adult males are almost completely white or grayish-white (Ridgely 1981, Stiles & Skutch 1989, Fogden 2005). Adult males also have black coloration on the face, specifically on the forehead, around the red coloration, on the cheeks, and on the chin (Ridgely 1981, Stiles & Skutch 1989). Females, on the other hand, have a pale brown coloration on the top and sides of their heads, and a dark brown coloration on the chin (Stiles & Skutch 1989, Fogden 2005). The upperparts of the female’s feathers are grayish-brown, which turns into a pale gray farther down the bird (Stiles & Skutch 1989). The juveniles are similar to the adult females in appearance except that they are paler (Stiles & Skutch 1989). Masked Tityras frequently call each other. This low-pitched call is very unique and has been described in numerous ways: ranging from the noise a bathtub toy makes to that of a grunting pig (Davis 1972, Garrigues & Dean 2007). Stiles and Skutch (1989) described the call as a “reek-reek,” with the second note higher than the first.
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