Habitat
Deciduous, semi-deciduous and humid woodland, shrubby clearings with scattered tall trees, patches of evergreen shrubbery and second growth within humid forest. From sea-level - 750 m, but locally as high as 1,100 m.
Western Ecuador (western Esmeraldas and Pichincha south to western Loja) and extreme north-western Peru (Tumbes, Piura, Cajamarca).
 
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is 1,000 - 2,499 (2010) and decreasing.
Status EN
Habitat destruction and degradation through deforestation, heavy grazing by goats and cattle, is the main threat.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Voice
Song is a fast series of musical notes on descending pitch, 'ti-ti-ti-ti-tee-tee-the-the-tu'.
Slaty Becard (Pachyramphus) [XC251299]
by John V. Moore from Loja: 'Reserva Jorupe' ca. 4 km E Macar\u00e1, Ecuador (song)
Slaty Becard (Pachyramphus) [XC297213]
by Andrew Spencer from Loja: Reserva Jorupe ca. 4 km E Macar\u00e1, Ecuador (call)
Subspecies
Genus formerly included with Tityra in the Cotingidae, but transferred to present family because of several shared, derived features of the skull and syrinx. Because both genera exhibit similarity to cotingids in many other features, some authors prefer to leave them in that family or to treat them as representing a separate family (Tityridae). Phylogenetic affinity of present species unknown. Has been suggested that it is closely related to, and perhaps conspecific with, Cinereous Becard (Pachyramphus rufus). The two appear to replace each other geographically and, arguably, constitute a zoogeographical species.
No subspecies.
Similar Species
Female frequently confused, especially with Cinnamon Becard (Pachyramphus cinnamomeus), but differs in having black (not reddish-brown) primary coverts, and less white throat and belly. Both sexes resemble One-colored Becard (Pachyramphus homochrous), which is larger, heavier-billed, lacks pale lores, and the males of which have almost plain wings.
References
See References.