Pachyramphus homochrous
The One-colored Becard (Pachyramphus homochrous) is a captivating passerine bird known for its striking sexual dimorphism and often elusive nature. Males are uniformly slate gray, appearing almost black in dim light, with a slightly paler belly and a broad, hooked bill, measuring approximately 14-15 cm in length and weighing around 20-25 grams. Females present a stark contrast, sporting an olive-green back, yellow underparts, and a dusky crown, making them easily distinguishable from their ma...
Inhabits humid evergreen forests, secondary growth, woodland edges, and mature plantations, typically found from lowlands up to approximately 1,500 meters (occasionally higher).
Primarily insectivorous, consuming a variety of arthropods such as beetles, caterpillars, and grasshoppers, supplemented seasonally with small fruits and berries.
This diurnal species typically forages alone or in pairs, often joining mixed-species flocks outside the breeding season. It employs a "sit-and-wait" foraging strategy, perching quietly on a branch before darting out to snatch insects in mid-air (sallying) or gleaning them from foliage and bark. ...
The One-colored Becard boasts a wide resident distribution across Central and South America, primarily inhabiting humid lowlands and foothills. Its range extends from southeastern Honduras and Nicaragua, through Costa Rica and Panama, and into northern and western South America. In South America,...
Least Concern
- The male One-colored Becard is remarkably uniform in its slate-gray plumage, earning it its common name and making it unique among many more colorful tropical birds. - Despite its name, "becard" refers to its notably broad and somewhat flattened bill, well-suited for its diet of insects and sma...