Black-and-white Becard
NameBlack-and-white Becard
Common NameBlack-and-white Becard
Scientific NamePachyramphus albogriseus
FamilyTityridae
Wingspan (cm)23
Length (cm)14
Weight (g)20
Plumage DetailsMales have a prominent glossy black cap, grey upperparts, and clean white underparts. Their wings are black with two distinct white wing-bars and white edging on the flight feathers. Females are similar but typically have a duller black cap and may show a yellowish wash on the underparts.
Vocalization / CallIts vocalizations consist of high-pitched, clear whistles, often delivered as a rapid series or a trill, sometimes described as 'swee-swee-swee'.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsforest
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeDistributed in Central and South America, ranging from Costa Rica and Panama south through the Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and into western Venezuela.
Identifying Featuresprominent black cap, grey back, white underparts, black wings with white wing-bars, stocky build
Description
A small, stocky passerine with a distinctive black cap, often found perching upright in the mid-canopy of humid forests. It actively forages for insects and occasionally consumes fruits. This species exhibits sexual dimorphism in plumage.
