Golden-billed Saltator

Overview

The Saltator aurantiirostris, or golden-billed saltator, is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae, native to parts of South America. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN due to its large range and lack of immediate threats.

Identification

• Size: 19 to 20.5 cm long, weighing 33 to 55 g.
• Plumage: Sexually dimorphic; males have a blackish forehead and face with a white supercilium, while females are dusky brownish-black on the head. Upperparts are generally gray, transitioning to buffy on the belly.
• Bill: Thick and orange, though adult females possess a dusky wash on the bill.
• Song: Described as a loud, strident, musical whistled phrase, such as "twi CHEW tew-SWEE?", accompanied by metallic "tchip" calls.

Habitat

Found across Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay, this species inhabits dryish, somewhat open landscapes like montane scrublands, Gran Chaco woodlands, forest edges, and gardens. It occurs from near sea level in the east up to 4,000 m in the Peruvian Andes.

Diet

In Argentina, where its diet has been studied, the bird feeds primarily on seeds with smaller quantities of various insects. It typically forages in pairs.

Did you know?

The golden-billed saltator’s breeding season varies significantly across its range, occurring in November to January in Argentina but also including June in Peru and February to March in Bolivia.