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Definition of tityra
tityra
/ˈtɪtɪrə/
tit · y · ra
Plural:tityras
tityra Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
13
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
Any of several stout-billed neotropical passerine birds of the genus Tityra, native to the forests of Central and South America, typically characterized by striking black, white, and grey plumage and a distinct bare patch of reddish skin around the eyes.
Example
"During our birdwatching expedition in the Amazon basin, the guide excitedly pointed out a masked tityra perched high in the upper canopy."
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'Tityrus' (a rustic shepherd in Virgil's Eclogues, originally from Ancient Greek Τίτυρος), adopted by French ornithologist Louis Jean Pierre Vieillot in 1816 as a genus name for these neotropical birds.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Tityra. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/tityra