Cryptic becard, Rio Silanche Bird Sanctuary, Ecuador

- No description given -

comments (6)

Thibaud Aronson

Lion

Hi Ferdy,
This one is actually a becard, a female Black and white becard if I'm not mistaken.
Compared with your other two photos of the tyrannulet, notice how this bird doesn't have the very extensive vertical, bright yellow fringes on the wing feathers (the defining characteristic of the genus Zimmerius), but rather two distinct orangey wing bars. Also, note the clear cut black cap, with some rufous at the center, contrasting with the grey lores, cheeks, and nape. Posted 3 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks so much, Thibaud. I think this is a gap in my notes, which doesn't mention any becard. So I erroneously concluded that it has to be the same as the tyrannulet, as it looks similar and is only minutes apart. Posted 3 years ago
2. 1. Thibaud Aronson
    
    Lion
    
    Sure thing! Becards are sneaky, sometimes they look very distinctive, and at other times they look remarkably like other things - In Peru, I came to dread the male White-winged Becard/Variable Antshrike pair... Posted 3 years ago

Thibaud Aronson

Lion

Hi Ferdy,
Like my photo, I think your bird is actually a Cryptic Becard. This was a highly unexpected finding that was published last year (https://academic.oup.com/auk/article/140/1/ukac047/6677526), revealing this indeed very cryptic population that was split off from B&W Becard.
I had a look at Rio Silanche's birding records, and it's all Cryptic. Gotta look for Black and white again next time you're on the East slope! Posted one year ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  It looks to be cryptic indeed! Fixed, thanks for the correction. Posted one year ago
2. 1. Thibaud Aronson
    
    Lion
    
    Sure thing! I saw the true B&W once, earlier this year, but couldn't get photos. Next time Posted one year ago

The Cryptic becard

The cryptic becard is a species of bird in the family Tityridae. It is found in Ecuador and Peru. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

Info 2 0

Similar species: Perching Birds

Species identified by Ferdy Christant