Velvety Black-Tyrant Knipolegus nigerrimus Scientific name definitions

The Velvety Black-Tyrant is endemic to Brazil, where two, perhaps disjunct, populations are known, in the northeast (from Pernambuco south to central Bahia) and further south, from Espírito Santo south to Rio Grande do Sul. Males are not especially distinctive, being largely black except for the white bases to the primaries, which are usually only seen in flight, with red irides, but are distinguished from the slightly larger Crested Black-Tyrant (Knipolegus lophotes) by their shorter and bushier crest. Females are much more immediately recognized, by the very dark red throat patch, which distinguishes them from any other black-tyrant. Velvety Black-Tyrants are usually encountered in highland areas, in grassy or rocky areas with some trees and shrubs.

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Vocalization in display-flight is a short high "See". Call is a somewhat hoarse sounding dry trilling note "krrr"", sometimes initiated by a high pitched tone "See.rrrrr".