Streaked Saltator

Overview

The streaked saltator (Saltator striatipectus) is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae, the tanagers and allies. It is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.

Identification

• 19 to 20.5 cm in length, weighing 30 to 40 g, with sexes having the same plumage.
• Grayish green crown and nape, with a thin buffy white supercilium and whitish arcs above and below the eye.
• Breast is off-white with diffuse dark gray streaks, and belly is buff-white with gray-black streaks on the sides.
• Brown iris, blackish bill with sometimes a yellow tip, and gray-black to black legs and feet.

Habitat

The streaked saltator has a disjunct distribution, inhabiting a variety of landscapes such as arid to dry scrublands, woodlands, gardens, and the edges of deciduous forest. It ranges from sea level to 1,600 m in Costa Rica, up to 2,000 m in Venezuela, and as high as 2,500 m in Colombia.

Diet

The streaked saltator feeds on insects, fruits, seeds, flowers, and buds, foraging in pairs and sometimes in small groups at all levels of its habitat.

Did you know?

The streaked saltator's nest is an open cup made from plant materials, with a relatively coarse outer layer, a middle layer of dried grass, and a lining of fine fibers.