Bearded Tachuri

The bearded tachuri (Polystictus pectoralis) is a Near Threatened species of bird in subfamily Elaeniinae of family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in every mainland South American country except Chile, Ecuador, and Peru. == Taxonomy and systematics == The bearded tachuri shares genus Polystictus with the grey-backed tachuri (P. superciliaris) but several authors have described the relationship as weak and needing confirmation. As of late 2024, the bearded tachuri is assigned these three subspecies: Polystictus pectoralis bogotensis (Chapman, 1915) Polystictus pectoralis brevipennis (Berlepsch & Hartert, EJO, 1902) Polystictus pectoralis pectoralis (Vieillot, 1817) The two subspecies other than the nominate P. p. pectoralis have been suggested as individual species. P. p. bogotensis is believed extinct. == Description == The bearded tachuri is 8 to 10.5 cm (3.1 to 4.1 in) long and weighs 6 to 8 grams (0.21 to 0.28 oz). Adult males of the nominate subspecies have a dusky gray to blackish crown with a bushy but usually flattened crest; the crown's white center is mostly hidden. They have a short white supercilium and a thin blackish line through the eye on a face that is otherwise thinly striped with black and white. Their upperparts are mostly buffy…