Conservation and Management

Birdlife International registers the Rose-throated Becard as of "Least Concern" based on its extensive range within which populations appear to be stable. However, information on population trends is nonexistent except in the limited range of the species in Arizona and Texas, where populations are peripheral and occurrences have become irregular and infrequent in recent years (see above; Appendix 1 ). Texas rates the becard as Threatened within its limited range in the state, and Arizona lists it as Wildlife of Special Concern in its range there. Overall, global population size as reported by Mobley (2004) is speculative at best.

In the northern parts of its range, habitat loss and degradation appear to have been important factors affecting local numbers of Rose-throated Becards. Sutton (1949) reported that a woodland near McAllen, Texas, in which he observed nesting becards, had been cleared, and no such habitat exists in the area today (Brush 2005). Brush (in litt.) mentioned some habitat loss in the valley, but most urban growth has been at the expense of agricultural land. He pointed out that habitat degradation along the river to some extent is related to reduced flow of water in the Rio Grande and consequent xerification of riparian habitat. Rose-throated Becard may favor healthy riparian woodland with tall trees, and this habitat is largely gone along the lower Rio Grande in Texas. Elsewhere in its range, the species often nests in suburban areas and rural pastureland. In such disturbed habitats, human vandalism of nests has been a problem, at least in the past (Skutch 1969, Rowley 1984), but becards readily re-nest following such losses.

Because Rose-throated Becards often depend on riparian corridors, as do so many other animals, protection of this habitat from excessive human intrusion and cattle grazing should be high priority in both the United States and Mexico. Habitat restoration, including stream flow restoration, may be necessary in some areas, but human demands for water in arid regions will continue to apply pressure on the riparian zone.