The rose-throated becard is a medium-sized member of the family Tityridae. Its genus, Pachyramphus, has traditionally been placed in Cotingidae or Tyrannidae, but evidence strongly suggest it is better placed in Tityridae. This species was named in honour of Aglaé Brelay.
Region
Mexico and Central America
Typical Environment
Occurs from the southwestern United States (rare and local) through much of Mexico and southward across Central America to at least western Panama. It favors riparian woodlands, tropical deciduous forest, and semi-open edges with tall trees. Frequently found along streams, canyons, and forest borders, including shaded coffee areas and second growth. It adapts to human-altered landscapes if large shade trees remain, but is scarce in dense interior rainforest. Nests are often placed high and exposed on drooping branch tips.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The rose-throated becard is a medium-sized member of the family Tityridae, though it was historically placed with cotingas or tyrant flycatchers. Males are notable for a rosy to red throat patch, while females look quite different, with warm brown and buff tones. They weave large, pendulous pouch nests that hang from outer branches, often near water. The species name honors Aglaé Brelay.
Chan Chich Lodge area - Belize
At Salinas Cocorocas in Costa Rica, 8 March 2024.
Temperament
quiet and deliberate, often in pairs
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in pairs, sometimes with family groups after fledging. Builds a large, pendant, domed nest of plant fibers suspended from outer branches, frequently near water. Pair bonds are seasonal; both parents feed the young, with the female doing most incubation.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Song is a soft series of mellow, whistled phrases, often burry or slightly nasal. Calls include clear, whistled notes and gentle chups, delivered from mid to high canopy perches.
Plumage
Male is gray with a contrasting black cap and a rosy-red throat patch; wings and tail slightly darker with subtle edges. Female is warm brown above with buff to cinnamon underparts and a pale buffy supercilium; wings darker with pale edging. Both sexes have a stout, slightly hooked bill typical of becards.
Diet
Takes a wide range of insects such as beetles, caterpillars, and grasshoppers, along with spiders. Augments animal prey with small fruits and berries, especially in the nonbreeding season. Forages methodically by gleaning from foliage and twigs, hover-gleaning at leaf tips, and occasionally sallying to catch flying insects. Will follow mixed-species flocks at times to exploit disturbed prey.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in the mid to upper canopy of riparian woodland, tropical deciduous forest, and forest edges. Often uses tall isolated trees in pastures, orchards, and shade-grown coffee where fruit and insects are abundant.
