The chestnut-crowned becard is a species of bird in the family Tityridae, the tityras, becards, and allies. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay, and Venezuela.
Region
Northern and central South America
Typical Environment
Occurs widely in lowland and foothill tropical moist forests, forest edges, and secondary growth across Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay, and Venezuela. It favors the mid- to upper-canopy where it forages by gleaning and short sallies. Frequently uses edge habitats, riparian corridors, and lightly disturbed forests. It tolerates some habitat degradation but remains most frequent in well-forested landscapes.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A member of the Tityridae, the chestnut-crowned becard is a discreet canopy bird that often joins mixed-species flocks in tropical forests. It builds a large, hanging, globular nest of plant fibers suspended from branches, with both sexes participating in construction. Pairs are commonly observed year-round, reflecting its largely resident lifestyle across much of tropical South America.
Yasuni National Park, Ecuador
Temperament
quiet, discreet, and often pair-forming
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief glides
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs, sometimes accompanying mixed-species flocks in the canopy. Builds a large pendant, globular nest suspended from branches; both sexes help construct and attend the nest. Territorial behavior is moderate, with pairs maintaining small year-round territories.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song consists of soft, whistled phrases and plaintive notes, often delivered from mid-canopy perches. Calls include gentle chips and thin seee notes, repeated at intervals and easily overlooked in dense foliage.
Plumage
Male shows a rich chestnut crown contrasting with gray to slate upperparts and paler gray underparts; bill is broad with a slight hook. Female is warmer brown-olive above with a rufous to chestnut crown and buffy underparts, often with faint wing edging. Both sexes have relatively plain wings and a subtle pale throat.
Diet
Takes a variety of arthropods gleaned from foliage and bark, including caterpillars, beetles, and spiders. Also consumes small fruits and berries, especially when insect availability is low. Forages methodically in the mid- to upper-canopy, occasionally sallying to catch flying prey.
Preferred Environment
Prefers forest edges, riverine corridors, and secondary growth adjacent to mature forest, where fruiting shrubs and insect-rich foliage are abundant. Often forages quietly within mixed flocks in the canopy and subcanopy.
