Pink-throated Becard

The pink-throated becard (Pachyramphus minor) is a species of bird in the family Tityridae, the tityras, becards, and allies. It is found in every mainland South American country except Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. == Taxonomy and systematics == The pink-throated becard was originally described in 1831 as Querula minor. For a time it and several other becards were placed in genus Platypsaris which was merged by most taxonomists into Pachyramphus in 1973. It is now one of 18 becards in genus Pachyramphus that had been introduced in 1839 by George Gray. The genus Pachyramphus has variously been assigned to the tyrant flycatcher family Tyrannidae and the cotinga family Cotingidae. Several early twenty-first century studies confirmed the placement of Pachyramphus in Tityridae and taxonomic systems made the reassignment. The pink-throated becard is monotypic. == Description == The pink-throated becard is 16.5 to 17.5 cm (6.5 to 6.9 in) long and weighs 31 to 44 g (1.1 to 1.6 oz). The species is sexually dimorphic. Adult males are mostly black to dark sooty gray. Their face and underparts are slightly paler than their back. They have the eponymous pink patch on the lower throat and upper breast, though sometimes it is…