Hooded Grosbeak

Overview

The hooded grosbeak, also known as Albiellé's grosbeak, is a large, stocky passerine bird in the family Fringillidae. It is found in parts of Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador, inhabiting subtropical and temperate forest zones.

Identification

• A large, stocky bird measuring 15 to 18.5 cm in length with a very thick bill.
• Sexually dimorphic plumage: adult males of the nominate subspecies have entirely black heads and throats, olive-green upperparts, and bright yellow underparts, whereas females have a black crown and nape with a yellowish-washed greyish-green face.
• Song consists of clipped, slightly metallic, burry rolling phrases often preceded by calls, described as variations of beenk beenk eihrr-r or beehn beehn bee-beihr.
• Males produce loud, ringing calls such as peet!-peet! while females call with a ringing pit!-preee!.

Habitat

The species inhabits montane evergreen, pine, pine-oak, and semi-deciduous forests in subtropical and temperate zones. It has a highly disjunct distribution across Mexico, Guatemala, and possibly El Salvador, typically living at elevations between 900 and 3,500 metres, with lower ranges in Central American populations.

Diet

The diet is not fully understood but includes seeds, berries, fruits, and buds. The bird typically forages in pairs or small flocks, though groups of up to 50 have been observed during the non-breeding season. Foraging occurs primarily in the mid-to-upper levels of the forest canopy but also takes place on the ground.

Did you know?

The species faces heightened risk due to its specialisation in threatened tropical highland forest habitats, with primary threats including unsustainable logging and livestock grazing. Its one known nest was a cup constructed from small twigs by the female, placed approximately 7 metres above the ground in a tall cypress tree.