Rose-throated Becard

Overview

Rose-throated Becard: Small flycatcher with gray upperparts, large head with black cap, pale rose-red throat, and pale gray underparts. Catches insects in flight. Also eats their larvae, fruits and berries. Flight is weak and often of short duration, with rapid shallow wing beats.

Range and Habitat

Rose-throated Becard: Breeds from southeastern Arizona and Rio Grande Valley of Texas southward. Winters south of U.S.-Mexico border. Found in desert riparian forests, open woodlands, and mangroves.

INTERESTING FACTS

The Rose-throated Becard makes a large foot-long globular nest, usually suspended from a tree limb. The entrance hole is found on the bottom.
Its genus, Pachyramphus, has traditionally been placed in Cotingidae or Tyrannidae, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae.
This quiet, unobtrusive bird spends most of its time foraging in tall trees and is therefore difficult to find.
A group of flycatchers has many collective nouns, including an "outfield", "swatting", "zapper", and "zipper" of flycatchers.

The Rose-throated Becard is a medium bird that breeds in southeastern Arizona, southern Texas and the United States, and western Panama. Breeding activity is relatively sporadic in the United States, but is quite regular in populations located in Mexico. Northern populations in the U.S. will migrate to southern regions in winter months. This bird’s preferred habitat is pine-oak and evergreen woodlands. Nests are suspended from tree limbs. Diets generally consist of insects found on vegetation or in flight. Berries and seeds are also popular food for this species. The conservation rating for the Rose-throated Becard is Least Concern.