Rose-throated Becard (Pachyramphus aglaiae), North of Santa Gertrudis Lane along river, Tumacacori, Santa Cruz County

This Rose-throated Becard was discovered on 22 October 2009 by Gavin Bieber, Jake Mohlmann, and Celina Blouin and it was photographed by Paul Suchanek on 27 October 2009.

This species nested regularly in Arizona, most reliably at Patagonia, from 1947 to 2006.  However, since they stopped breeding in Arizona, there is no longer anywhere in the US accessible to the public where these becards can be reliably found.  They are now only casual winter visitors and transients in Arizona and Texas.  Because of this change in status, they were upgraded to a Review Species by the ABC in 2008.  Reasons for this apparent range contraction are unknown. 

ID Points: Light buffy belly, dark cap, light throat, dark rufous back, broad stubby bill. 

27 October 2009, photos by Paul Suchanek