Crested Becard Pachyramphus validus Scientific name definitions

The Crested Becard is a handsome resident of tropical evergreen forest from Eastern Brazil west to Peru and south to Northwestern Argentina.  Male Crested Becards are very dark grey above with a semi-concealed white back patch and pale smokey grey below.  Females have a dark greyish crown that contrasts with the bright rufous upperparts and dull cinnamon underparts.  Not as vocal as other becards, Crested Becards are most often found singly, but at times they will join mixed species flocks.  When foraging these flycatchers perch and scan the surrounding vegetation for prey for 3 or 4 seconds before flying to a new perch.       

17–18·5 cm. Male nominate race is very dark greyish to almost black above , with semi-concealed white patch on back; face more greyish, supraloral spot paler smoky grey, some white on scapulars; below , almost entirely uniform pale smoky greyish with prominent cinnamon tinge, throat a bit paler, more whitish-grey; iris dark brown; bill very stout, upper mandible black, lower mandible medium grey; legs dark grey. Female has dark greyish crown contrasting highly with bright rufous nape, upperparts and tail; cinnamon face, duller buff-greyish supraloral spot, wings mostly dusky but with narrow rufous edging on primaries, rufous inner remiges; yellowish-­cinnamon throat, dull buffyish-cinnamon under­parts . Juvenile presumably resembles female. Race <em>audax</em> male is more uniformly greyish below with only slight cinnamon tinge, more greyish-white throat, darker wings; female has dirtier black or sooty crown, slightly darker wings with more dusky inner remiges and coverts, darker underparts.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Large insects. Usually seen singly, or occasionally among mixed-species flocks. Perches , scanning the vegetation for prey, for c. 3–4 seconds before changing to new perch.

Not especially vocal compared with most congeners; typical vocalizations comprised of various squeaky or twittering notes; song a low, clear, vibrating, descending series of 6–8 “dui” whistles, second note highest; typical call a shrill “tsree” whistle; calls of nominate said to be fine rising “tsri”, “si-i-it” and “tuit”.

Nests found in Nov and Jan in Argentina. Nest bulky and globular, entrance hole on side or near bottom, made from dead leaves, fibres, moss and other vegetable matter, suspended from tip of branch. Clutch 4 eggs. No other information.