The yellow-cheeked becard is a passerine bird in the family Tityridae, the tityras, becards, and allies. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Region
Northwest South America (W Colombia, W Ecuador, NW Peru)
Typical Environment
Occupies humid to semi-humid tropical forests of the Chocó and western Andean foothills, including secondary growth and forest edges. Common along riverine corridors, clearings with tall trees, and disturbed habitats near intact forest. It favors midstory to canopy strata, often foraging along vine tangles and outer foliage. Occurs in both primary and well-regenerated secondary forest.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The yellow-cheeked becard is a small Neotropical passerine now placed in the family Tityridae. It is typically seen in pairs or family groups along forest edges and in mixed-species flocks. Like other becards, it builds a large, globular, hanging nest with a side entrance suspended from branches.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, sometimes accompanying mixed-species flocks in the midstory. Pairs maintain small territories and communicate with soft calls. The species builds a large, globular, pendant nest of plant fibers and moss, with a side entrance, typically placed high in trees.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song consists of soft, mellow whistles and short phrases delivered from mid-canopy perches. Calls are subdued chips and tsip notes used to keep contact within pairs.
Plumage
Male shows a dusky to blackish head and upperparts contrasting with bright yellow cheeks and yellow underparts; wings and tail are darker with faint edging. Female is more olive-brown above with yellowish cheeks and paler yellow underparts, overall less contrasting than the male. Both sexes have a stout, slightly hooked bill typical of becards.
Diet
Feeds primarily on insects and other small arthropods gleaned from foliage and taken by short sallies. It also consumes small fruits and berries, especially when insect prey is less abundant. Foraging is deliberate, with frequent pauses to scan leaves and twigs. Occasional hover-gleaning is used around dangling foliage and vine tangles.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the midstory to canopy of humid forest, edges, and semi-open woodland. Often works along forest borders, riparian strips, and clearings with tall trees where insect activity is high.
