# Crested becard

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The **crested becard** (***Pachyramphus validus***), also known as the **plain becard**,[1] is a species of [bird](/source/Bird) in the family [Tityridae](/source/Tityridae), the tityras, becards, and allies. It is found in [Argentina](/source/Argentina), [Bolivia](/source/Bolivia), [Brazil](/source/Brazil), [Paraguay](/source/Paraguay), [Peru](/source/Peru), and possibly [Ecuador](/source/Ecuador).[2][3]

## Taxonomy and systematics

The crested becard was [originally described](/source/Species_description) in 1831 as *Lanius validus*, mistakenly placing it in the [shrike](/source/Shrike) family.[4] It was later briefly placed in its own genus *Hylonax* and then in genus *Platypsaris*. The latter was merged by most taxonomists into *[Pachyramphus](/source/Pachyramphus)* in 1973.[5] It is now one of 18 becards in genus *Pachyramphus* that had been introduced in 1839 by [George Gray](/source/George_Robert_Gray).[2] The genus *[Pachyramphus](/source/Pachyramphus)* has variously been assigned to the [tyrant flycatcher](/source/Tyrant_flycatcher) family Tyrannidae and the [cotinga](/source/Cotingidae) family Cotingidae. Several early twenty-first century studies confirmed the placement of *Pachyramphus* in Tityridae and taxonomic systems made the reassignment.[6]

The crested becard has two subspecies, the [nominate](/source/Nominate_subspecies) *P. v. validus* ([Lichtenstein, MHC](/source/Martin_Lichtenstein), 1823) and *P. v. audax* ([Cabanis](/source/Jean_Cabanis), 1873).[2]

## Description

The crested becard is 17 to 18.5 cm (6.7 to 7.3 in) long. The species is [sexually dimorphic](/source/Sexually_dimorphic). Though its crown is somewhat shaggy it does not have an obvious raised crest. Adult males of the nominate subspecies have a mostly dark grayish to almost black crown, upperparts, wings, and tail with a partially hidden white patch on the back and some white on the [scapulars](/source/Birdgloss#scapulars). They have a smoky gray spot above the [lores](/source/Lore_(anatomy)) on an otherwise grayish face. Their throat is whitish gray and their underparts pale smoky grayish with a cinnamon tinge. Adult females have a dark grayish brown crown and a bright rufous nape. They have a buff-grayish spot above the lores on an otherwise cinnamon face. Their upperparts and tail are bright rufous. Their wings are mostly dusky with thin rufous edges on the [primaries](/source/Primaries_(birds)) and fully rufous inner flight feathers. Their throat is yellowish cinnamon and their underparts dull buffy cinnamon. Males of subspecies *P. v. audax* have little or no cinnamon tinge on their underparts and a more grayish white throat and darker wings than the nominate. Females have a more sooty crown, darker wings with duskier inner flight feathers, and darker underparts than the nominate. Both sexes of both subspecies have a dark brown iris, a black [maxilla](/source/Maxilla), a medium gray [mandible](/source/Mandible), and dark gray legs and feet.[7]

## Distribution and habitat

Subspecies *P. v. audax* of the crested becard is the more westerly of the two. It is found in the southern Peruvian departments of [Junín](/source/Department_of_Jun%C3%ADn), [Ayacucho](/source/Department_of_Ayacucho), and [Cuzco](/source/Department_of_Cusco). Its range continues through northwestern, central, and southern Bolivia and south into northwestern Argentina as far as [Córdoba Province](/source/C%C3%B3rdoba_Province,_Argentina). The nominate is found in Brazil south and east of a rough line [Rondônia](/source/Rond%C3%B4nia) - [Tocantins](/source/Tocantins) - northeastern [Pará](/source/Par%C3%A1). Its range continues south in Brazil to northern [Rio Grande do Sul](/source/Rio_Grande_do_Sul) and across eastern Bolivia and Paraguay into northeastern Argentina to [Santa Fe Province](/source/Santa_Fe_Province).[7][8] The nominate also reaches extreme southeastern Peru as a rare [austral](/source/South) migrant.[9] There is a single unconfirmed record in extreme southern Ecuador that is tentatively assigned to *P. v. audax*.[3][7] The South American Classification Committee does not recognize the record.[10]

The crested becard inhabits semi-arid to semi-humid woodlands and [montane forest](/source/Montane_forest). It favors the forest canopy and edges, and also wet ravines.[7] In elevation it ranges from sea level to 2,000 m (6,600 ft) in Brazil and between 1,700 and 3,400 m (5,600 and 11,200 ft) in Peru.[8][9]

## Behavior

### Movement

The crested becard is generally a year-round resident.[11] However, it is a rare visitor to far southeastern Peru in the austral winter.[9]

### Feeding

The crested becard feeds mostly on large insects. It usually forages singly and occasionally joins [mixed-species feeding flocks](/source/Mixed-species_feeding_flock).[7]

### Breeding

The crested becard's breeding season has not been defined but includes November to January in Argentina. Its nest is a bulky globe with an entrance on the side or near the bottom. It is made from dead leaves and plant fibers and usually hangs from the end of a branch. The clutch is four eggs. The incubation period, time to fledging, and details of parental care are not known.[7]

### Vocalization

The crested becard is not highly vocal. It sometimes makes an "unstructured series of extr./very high, sharp rolling and strident *see* notes".[8] Its song has also been described as "a low, clear, vibrating, descending series of 6–8 *dui* whistles" and its call "a shrill *tsree* whistle".[7]

## Status

The [IUCN](/source/IUCN) has assessed the crested becard as being of Least Concern. It has a very large range; its population size is not known and is believed to be decreasing. No immediate threats have been identified.[11] It is overall considered uncommon to fairly common[7] though "frequent to uncommon" in Brazil and rare in Peru.[7][9] It is found in many protected areas both public and private.[7]

## References

1. Fitzpatrick, J. W. 2004. Family Tyrannidae (Tyrant-flycatchers). Pp. 170–462 in “Handbook of the Birds of the World, Vol. 9. Cotingas to Pipits and Wagtails." (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliot, and D. A. Christie, eds.). Lynx Edicions, Barcelona

1. ["Cotingas, manakins, tityras, becards"](https://www.worldbirdnames.org/new/bow/cotingas/). *IOC World Bird List*. v 15.1. March 2025. Retrieved 3 March 2025.

1. Ridgely, Robert S. & Greenfield, Paul J. (2001). *The Birds of Ecuador: Field Guide*. Vol. II. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. p. 539. ISBN 978-0-8014-8721-7.

1. Lichtenstein, Hinrich (1823). [*Verzeichniss der Doubletten des Zoologischen Museums der Königl. Universität zu Berlin : nebst Beschreibung vieler bisher unbekannter Arten von Säugethieren, Vögeln, Amphibien und Fischen*](https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/28229298) (in Latin). In Commission bei T. Trautwein. p. 50. Retrieved November 13, 2025.

1. *Check-list of North American Birds*. 7th ed. Washington, D.C.: American Ornithologists' Union. 1998. p. 419.

1. Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, D. F. Lane, L, N. Naka, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. Version 29 September 2025. A classification of the bird species of South America. South American Classification Committee associated with the International Ornithological Union. [https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.htm](https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.htm) retrieved 29 September 2025

1. Mobley, J. A. (2020). Crested Becard (*Pachyramphus validus*), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. [https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.crebec1.01](https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.crebec1.01) retrieved November 13, 2025

1. van Perlo, Ber (2009). *A Field Guide to the Birds of Brazil*. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 288–289. ISBN 978-0-19-530155-7.

1. Schulenberg, T.S.; Stotz, D.F.; Lane, D.F.; O'Neill, J.P.; Parker, T.A. III (2010). *Birds of Peru*. Princeton Field Guides. revised and updated ed. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. p. 478. ISBN 978-0691130231.

1. Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, D. F. Lane, L, N. Naka, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. Version 29 September 2025. Species Lists of Birds for South American Countries and Territories. South American Classification Committee associated with the International Ornithological Union. [https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCCountryLists.htm](https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCCountryLists.htm) retrieved September 29, 2025

1. BirdLife International (2018). "Crested Becard *Pachyramphus validus*". Vol. 2018. [doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22700683A130264229.en](https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22700683A130264229.en). Retrieved 13 November 2025.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Crested becard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crested_becard) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crested_becard?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.