Uromyias is a genus of small Andean, tyrant flycatchers known as tit-tyrants. They were formerly recognized based on syrinxial and plumage characters, including a flatter crest and a longer tail, but was included within Anairetes due to genetic analysis.Remsen, J. V. Jr., C. D. Cadena, A. Jaramillo, M. Nores, J. F. Pacheco, M. B. Robbins, T. S. Schulenberg, F. G. Stiles, D. F. Stotz, & K. J. Zimmer. 2007. A classification of the bird species of South America. American Ornithologists' Union. Accessed 12 December 2007. Recent analyses suggested splitting into Uromyias again.DuBay, S.G., Witt, C.C. 2012. An improved phylogeny of the Andean tit-tyrants (Aves, Tyrannidae): More characters trump sophisticated analyses. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 64, 285–296.
The tit-tyrants are fairly small birds (11–14 cm) that get their common name from the tit family, due to their energetic tit-like dispositions and appearance, primarily in their crests. Tit-tyrants live in temperate or arid scrub habitats and are mainly found in the Andes mountains. It is one of only a few genera of small flycatchers that occur at such high altitudes.
Species The genus contains two species:
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