Thick-billed Saltator

Overview

The thick-billed saltator (Saltator maxillosus) is a monotypic bird species in the family Thraupidae, currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It is the only sexually dichromatic saltator, with females resembling the green-winged saltator but possessing a thicker bill, greener face and buff throat.

Identification

• Measures approximately 19 cm in length with upper parts that are dark grey and lower parts that are rusty.
• Features a very thick, tall beak that is yellow at the base, with males displaying a long white eyebrow and a black and orange beak.
• Vocalisation consists of stanzas of four strong calls, with the third call being the loudest, typically heard from August onwards.

Habitat

Inhabits the highland Atlantic Forest, living on the edge of the forest and in gardens, with a range covering southeastern Brazil from Espírito Santo to Rio de Janeiro and extending northeast to Rio Grande do Sul and east to Argentina. Its distribution also includes the far northeastern Misiones Province of Argentina and potentially far eastern Paraguay.

Diet

This omnivorous species feeds on seeds, leaves, insects and fruits, exhibiting foraging behaviour similar to the related Saltator similis.

Did you know?

Males are uniquely distinguished among saltators by their long white eyebrow and the presence of orange on the beak, the amount of which varies between individuals.