Rose-throated Becard (Pachyramphus aglaiae)

The Rose-throated Becard (Pachyramphus aglaiae) is a tropical species ranging from Mexico into Panama. The species occasionally makes an appearance in south Texas and perhaps a couple of dozen or so such visits have occurred over the years. In late spring, 2006, a female Rose-throated Becard showed up in the parking lot of Santa Ana N.W.R., Hidalgo Co., Texas. The bird built a nest, but as far as anyone ever knew, there was no male in the area. The images here were shot in June, 2006 with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and EF 600mm F/4 L IS lens and a 1.4X extender.

The next five shots on the left show both male and female Rose-throated Becard on a nest in southern Tamaulipas, Mexico, in May, 2007. These shots were taken with a Canon 1D Mark II and EF 500mm F/4 L IS lens.

The two shots on the left show the same male as in the shots just above.

The feamle in the next 2 shots on the left was tending another nest, also in southern Tamaulipas, in May, 2007, and was shot with the same gear previously described.