Glaucous-blue Grosbeak

Overview

The glaucous-blue grosbeak, also known as the indigo grosbeak, is a species of bird in the family Cardinalidae. It is currently assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN, though it is generally rather rare to uncommon and poorly known.

Identification

• Approximately 14 cm long with a mass between 16 and 19.5 g.
• Males are generally dark sky blue, lighter on the forehead and rump, with a grayish lower belly and a small black mask.
• Females are brown overall, warm and dark above and orange-tinged below.
• Sings a fast, high, hurried jumbled warbling and gives a call described as 'psit' or 'jit'.

Habitat

Found in northeastern Argentina, southeastern Brazil, and much of Uruguay, with some migration to southeastern Paraguay and further north in Brazil during the austral winter. It inhabits low, somewhat dense vegetation such as along forest edges, on river islands, in marshes, and in secondary forest. Elevation ranges from near sea level to 1,700 m in Brazil.

Diet

Forages in pairs, but other details and its diet have not been published.

Did you know?

The glaucous-blue grosbeak was once the only member of the genus Cyanoloxia, a status that changed in 2004 when other species were moved into the genus.