Pachyramphus polychopterus
The White-winged Becard, *Pachyramphus polychopterus*, is a striking, medium-sized passerine, typically measuring 14-15 cm (5.5-6 inches) in length. It exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism: adult males are glossy black above with conspicuous white wing-patches, a contrasting black crown, and dusky gray underparts. Females are rufous-brown on the back, have a blackish crown and distinct white eye-ring, with yellowish underparts and often a paler wing-bar. Key field marks include the male's st...
This species primarily inhabits humid tropical and subtropical forests, woodlands, and forest edges, often favoring the mid-canopy to canopy layers. It is found from lowlands up to elevations of approximately 2000 meters.
Their diet consists primarily of insects (such as beetles, ants, and wasps), spiders, and small fruits or berries. They forage by gleaning from foliage and branches, as well as making aerial sallies.
White-winged Becards are diurnal and highly active, often observed singly or in pairs foraging within the forest canopy. Their foraging strategy primarily involves gleaning insects and spiders from foliage and branches, often making short aerial sallies to catch flying prey or hover-gleaning for ...
The White-winged Becard boasts an expansive geographic distribution, ranging from southern Mexico through Central America and across much of tropical South America. Its northernmost limits are found in states like Chiapas, Mexico, extending southward through Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua...
Least Concern
- Despite their common name and past classification, White-winged Becards are not true flycatchers; they belong to the distinct Tityridae family. - They are famous for building elaborate, pendulous, purse-shaped nests that often hang near active wasp nests, a unique strategy believed to deter pre...