The females are similar, but are duller, with browner or greyer head markings and often streaked body plumage.

The black-tailed and the masked tityra both have a conspicuous red eye-ring and base of the bill.

[8] Some authorities also split the black-tailed tityra into two species, western black-tailed tityra T. cayana in the northwestern half of the range, and eastern black-tailed tityra T. braziliensis in the southeastern half of the range, with the eastern differing in having less red on its bill;[9] the two are treated at subspecies rank by IOC[6] These species are found in forest clearings and edges, second growth and other semi-open habitats such as plantation shade trees.

The eggs are laid in a bed of dry leaves in a tree hole, often an old woodpecker nest.

Tityras are seen alone or in pairs, perched conspicuously as they feed on medium-sized fruit, large insects and sometimes small lizards.