57 With 425 tyrannids, there are more species of Tyrant Flycatchers than in any other family of birds in the world. It is therefore impossible to present more than a short overview. Tyrant Flycatchers are entirely New World birds ranging throughout most habitats in North and South America. Conversely, many flycatchers in southern South America move north toward the equator in the austral winter. Most of the tropical tyrannids are resident.
Flycatchers are quite variable is size and color.
Both the Gray Flycatcher and Great Kiskadee are related to similar species than can cause birders field identification problems. Indeed, sorting out the identification of New World flycatchers is amongst the more complex problems confronting the field observer. In my visits to South America, I think the ground-dwelling flycatcher that impressed me the most was the Southern Antpipit Corythopis delalandi. Vocalizations are indeed important in sorting through the Tyrannidae. In some groups it is by far the best field identification character.