Rose-throated Becard (Pachyramphus aglaiae), Tumacacori National Historic Park, Santa Cruz County

These Rose-throated Becards were found and photographed by Paul Suchanek on 10 January 2017

Male and female about 3/5 of a mile apart from each other and about 3 miles from the one in Tubac

Once a regular breeding species in a few locations, Rose-throated Becard has almost disappeared from Arizona in recent years, with just a few recent records in southeast Arizona including a few winter records from the Santa Cruz River.

The male is nearly unmistakable in this plumage with the pink throat and dark crown. For the female the underpart color is pale buff, the crown is dark slate, and the wings and tail are mostly rusty. The plumage pattern in combination with the large-headed, large-eyed look are typical of this species. 

10 January 2017, photo by Paul Suchanek

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