One-colored Becard

Pachyramphus homochrous

Medium-sized flycatcher-like bird found in lowlands and foothills from Venezuela to Peru. Male dark blackish above and gray below. Female is rusty overall, but paler buffy on the belly. Note gray lores on the female to help separate them from other rusty-colored becards. Singles or pairs can be found in middle to upper levels of forest or open woodlands.

Identification

The one-colored becard is sexually dimorphic. The male is black with a grey underside while the female is cinnamon with a buff underside.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Pachyramphus homochrous
Authority
Sclater, PL, 1859
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Tityridae
Genus
Pachyramphus

Range and habitat

It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, and heavily degraded former forest.

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Surucua Trogon

Surucua Trogon

Trogon surrucura

Often draws attention to its presence by its song: an ascending sequence of “kwa” notes, similar to Green-backed Trogon, but faster. Two subspecies occur in Brazil, Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina with limited geographical overlap that vary in the color of the breast and eyering; the southern one has a red belly and eyering, while the northern one has a yellow belly and eyering. The males of both subspecies have a violet-blue head and breast, a green back, and a white undertail. Females have a dull gray breast and the undertail is gray with white tips. Found in the middle to upper levels of forests and woodlands.

Costa Rican Swift

Costa Rican Swift

Chaetura fumosa

Smallest swift in most of range. All dark gray with contrasting pale rump and paler throat, both of which can be difficult to see in many viewing conditions. A good look at the rump is necessary for a firm visual identification, otherwise Vaux’s Swift can look very similar. However, in some parts of its range (the Osa Peninsula, for example) this is the only small Chaetura swift. Makes twittering calls similar to many other swifts. Usually found in flocks over forests and more open areas.

Chestnut-crowned Bush Warbler

Chestnut-crowned Bush Warbler

Cettia major

Medium-sized bush warbler. Brown with a white throat, pale buffy brow, and rufous crown. Gray-sided Bush Warbler is similar but smaller, with a whiter brow stripe and paler, more gray-toned sides. Chestnut-crowned can be separated from other bush warblers by a combination of its size, bright rufous crown, and strong head pattern. Breeds in foothill and montane areas up to the treeline; prefers dense shrubby areas, particularly with an abundance of rhododendrons. In the winter, descends into lower foothill and lowland areas with scrubby edge growth. Song is a sharp, high “tih-wih-wih-wihr.” Calls include a sharp, bunting-like “tseep.” 

Start Your Bird Watching Journey

Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.