It has traditionally been placed in the cotinga or the tyrant flycatcher family, but evidence strongly suggests that it is better placed in Tityridae,[2] where it is now placed by the South American Classification Committee.

Measuring 20 cm (7.9 in),[3] it has a black-and-whitish plumage, and a distinct red eye-ring and base of the bill.

The mask is black in the male, while it is brownish or greyish in the female.

The male resembles the black-tailed tityra, but can be separated by its smaller black face mask (does not include the nape) and white tail-tip.

Media related to Tityra semifasciata at Wikimedia Commons