The peppershrikes are two species of passerine bird found in tropical Central and South America. They form the genus Cyclarhis, part of the vireo family. These are heavyset birds with a hooked shrike-like bill. Although sluggish and very vocal, the peppershrikes are still difficult to spot as they feed on insects and spiders in the canopy aloft. Their cup-shaped nests can likewise be found high in the trees.

Taxonomy

The genus Cyclarhis was introduced in 1789 by the English naturalist William Swainson to accommodate a single species, the rufous-browed peppershrike, which is therefore the type species. The genus name is from the Ancient Greek kuklos meaning "circle" and rhis, rhinos meaning "nostrils". The genus contains two species.

Species