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BECARDS (GENUS PACHYRAMPHUS) (5 species). Chunky, rather large-headed, often sluggish,

and mostly arboreal birds. Usually found as singles and pairs, often at mid–upper levels in forest and edge.

Ages/sexes usually differ; 1st-year male looks variably intermediate between adult male and female.

ROSE-THROATED BECARD  Pachyramphus aglaiae 16–17cm. Lowland wood­

land and edge, gallery forest, plantations, second growth. Forages low to high,

sometimes ranging into overgrown fields. Tail not graduated as on other Costa

Rican becards. Distinctive male dark overall, with little or no rose-pink on throat.

Female told by dark sooty cap, cf. smaller Cinnamon Becard. SOUNDS: Plaintive

downslurred tseeu, often run into a reedy, spluttering chatter or trill, or a squeaky

chatter may slur into a downslurred tew. Dawn song a high, slightly reedy,

plaintive si-tchew, wii-chew or simply si-tchew, repeated every 2–6 secs.

STATUS: Uncommon to fairly common on Pacific slope, locally to 1200m, most

numerous in nw. lowands; scarce Nov–Mar (locally resident?) in n. Caribbean lowlands. (Mexico and sw.

US to w. Panama.)

CINNAMON BECARD  Pachyramphus cinnamomeus 14–15cm. Humid forest

edge, gardens, plantations, especially along streams; also mangroves on Pacific

slope. Sexes alike. At mid–upper levels, sometimes with mixed flocks. Note subtle

face pattern with dark lores, short paler brow, dark rusty cap, cf. female Rose-

throated Becard. SOUNDS: Song comprises 1–2 drawn-out, plaintive high whistles

followed by a faster, slightly descending series of (usually 3–9) shorter notes, teeeu

dee-dee..., or cheei deu-deu-deu. Calls are varied series of high reedy whistles, at

times rapid twittering series, and a plaintive seeeeiu. STATUS: Fairly common to

uncommon on both slopes, locally to 1500m. (Mexico to w. Ecuador.)

WHITE-WINGED BECARD  Pachyramphus polychopterus 14–15cm. Humid

lowland forest edge, woodland, plantations, gallery forest, mangroves. Mainly

at mid–upper levels, often in canopy of fruiting trees. Attractive male is dis­

tinctive, cf. Northern Black-and-white Becard of foothills. Female distinctive

but can be puzzling, note broken pale eyering, cinnamon wing edgings.

SOUNDS: Songs comprise variations on 2 themes: series of (usually 4–9) mellow,

downslurred whistles, the 1st typically longest, then speeding and slowing at

end, tcheu chu chu..., about 6 notes/sec; also 1–2 mellow notes followed by a

rapid series of (usually 8–20) descending chips that slow at end, chiu chi-chi...,

about 10 notes/sec. Varied, twangy whistled phrases when agitated. STATUS: Fairly common to uncommon

on both slopes in humid areas, locally to 1200m on Pacific slope, to 1000m on Caribbean slope;

uncommon and local in drier nw. lowlands. (Mexico to S America.)

*NORTHERN BLACK-AND-WHITE BECARD  Pachyramphus albogriseus

14–15cm. Humid foothill forest and edge. Mainly at mid–upper levels, often

with mixed flocks. Male much paler below than White-winged Becard of

lowlands, female has distinctive black head band. SOUNDS: Song a short, varied

arrangement of plaintive, slightly squeaky or reedy notes with rhythmic 2–​

3-syllable sequence, such as teu teu whee’ti-chu whee’ti-chu whee ti and ch’wi-chee

wh-chee wi-chee wi-chee. STATUS: Uncommon to scarce on Caribbean slope,

locally on cen. Pacific slope, mainly 800–1800m; some wander to lower Carib­

bean foothills in fall. (Costa Rica to ne. Peru.)

BARRED BECARD  Pachyramphus versicolor 12–13cm. Rather cute and distinc­

tive small becard of highland forest and edge, adjacent second growth. Mainly

at mid-levels, often with mixed flocks. Note black cap, big beady eyes in blank

face; barring soft, can be difficult to see. Imm. male duller, more greenish overall

than adult. SOUNDS: Song a fairly rapid, often slightly rising or overslurred series

of (usually 8–17) high, slightly squeaky to husky, overslurred whistles, twieh-

twieh..., 6–7 notes/sec. Also an accelerating, slightly overslurred series of (usually

9–12) slightly piping or squeaky whistles, fieeeh fieeh fee fi-fi-fi.…STATUS: Fairly

common to uncommon in Central and Talamanca Mts., mainly 1500–3000m;

scarce in Northern Mts., mainly above 1500m. (Costa Rica to S America.)