280

SNOWY COTINGA  Carpodectes nitidus 20–23cm, male>female. Stunning,

fairly large cotinga of humid lowland forest and edge, adjacent second growth

and tree-scattered farmland with forest patches. No overlap with Yellow-billed

Cotinga. Mainly in canopy, where small numbers may gather at fruiting trees;

plucks berries by brief sallying flutters. Flight rather direct but unhurried, and

male stands out as starkly snow white against green canopy. Often sits quietly

for long periods and males especially can perch on exposed snags and atop trees,

visible from long distances. Gleaming adult male unmistakable (smoky-gray

blush to upperparts usually washed out in bright light); female distinctive but

can be puzzling: note shape, white eyering, white wing edgings. Imm. male resembles female but whitish

above with dusky scalloping. SOUNDS: Typically quiet. STATUS: Uncommon to scarce on Caribbean slope,

locally to 750m. (Honduras to w. Panama.)

YELLOW-BILLED COTINGA  Carpodectes antoniae 20–22.5cm, male>female.

Pacific-slope counterpart to Snowy Cotinga (no range overlap), inhabiting

taller mangroves, humid lowland forest and edge, adjacent tree-scattered

farmland with forest patches. Habits much like Snowy Cotinga; differs visually

from Snowy in mostly yellow bill. SOUNDS: Typically quiet. STATUS: Uncommon

to scarce on s. Pacific slope, locally to 750m. (Costa Rica to w. Panama.)

BECARDS, TITYRAS, AND ALLIES (TITYRIDAE; 9+ SPECIES) Recently

recognized neotropical family, many members of which were formerly treated as cotingas;

includes Speckled and Northern Mourners (p. 284), and perhaps Sharpbills (p. 276). Ages/

sexes differ strikingly or similar; attain adult appearance in 1st year.

BLACK-CROWNED TITYRA  Tityra inquisitor 18.5–19.5cm. Humid forest

and edge, plantations, semi-open areas with fruiting trees. Often in pairs, mainly

at mid–upper levels and at fruiting trees; associates readily with Masked Tityra.

Flight slightly undulating, suggesting a compact woodpecker; note translucent

primary panels, lacking on Masked Tityra, which also differs in head pattern,

voice. SOUNDS: Gruff, slightly rasping shehk, singly or in short, at times chattering

series; lacks nasal, burrier quality of Masked Tityra. STATUS: Uncommon to fairly

common on both slopes, locally to 1200m. (Mexico to S America.)

MASKED TITYRA  Tityra semifasciata 20–22cm. Widespread and often con­

spicuous in humid forest and edge, plantations, semi-open areas with fruiting

trees. Often in pairs, mainly at mid–upper levels where frequently perches on

prominent snags. Flight slightly undulating, suggesting a compact woodpecker.

Distinctive, with naked reddish-pink face, but cf. Black-crowned Tityra, which

often occurs alongside Masked. SOUNDS:  Short croaking and rasping nasal

notes, often doubled or in rhythmic series, rehk and reh-rehk, or reh-rehk reh-reh-

rehk..., and variations; could be passed off as a frog. STATUS: Fairly common on

both slopes, locally to 1800m on Pacific slope, to 1500m on Caribbean slope;

rarely to 2400m. (Mexico to S America.)