Tyranni facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tyranni |
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| Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus) | |
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Tyranni
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Tyranni is a group of passerine birds. They are also called suboscines. There are about 1,000 different species in this group. Most of these birds live in South America.
These birds are special because their voice box, called a syrinx, is different from that of songbirds. The syrinx helps birds make their unique songs. Scientists have also studied their DNA and fossils. These studies show that Tyranni birds are a distinct group from songbirds.
Contents
Understanding the Tyranni Bird Group
Scientists group living things to understand them better. The Tyranni suborder is divided into smaller groups called infraorders. There are three main infraorders: Acanthisittides, Eurylaimides, and Tyrannides.
New Zealand Wrens: A Special Case
The first group is the Acanthisittidae. These birds are often called the New Zealand "wrens". Scientists are still discussing if these wrens truly belong with the other Tyranni birds. Some experts believe they are so different that they should be in their own separate group.
Old World Suboscines: Birds from Across the Ocean
The Eurylaimides group includes birds often called the "Old World" suboscines. Most of these birds live in tropical areas around the Indian Ocean. They are found in places like Asia and Africa.
One special bird, the Broad-billed Sapayoa, lives in the Americas. This is unusual because most birds in this group are found in the Old World.
Families of Eurylaimides Birds
- Superfamily: Eurylaimoidea
- Eurylaimidae: These are the broadbills.
- Philepittidae: These are the asities.
- Sapayoidae: This family includes the Broad-billed Sapayoa.
- Superfamily: Pittoidea
- Pittidae: These birds are called pittas.
New World Suboscines: Birds of the Americas
The Tyrannides group includes almost all the suboscine birds found in the Americas. The only exception is the Broad-billed Sapayoa, which we mentioned earlier.
Families of Tyrannides Birds
- Furnariidae: This family includes ovenbirds and woodcreepers.
- Thamnophilidae: These are the antbirds.
- Formicariidae: This group has antpittas and antthrushes.
- Rhinocryptidae: These birds are called tapaculos.
- Conopophagidae: This family includes gnateaters and gnatpittas.
- Tyrannidae: These are the tyrant-flycatchers.
- Tityridae: This group includes tityras and their relatives.
- Cotingidae: These birds are known as cotingas.
- Pipridae: This family includes manakins.
See also
In Spanish: Tyranni para niños
