Saltator atriceps
The Black-headed Saltator (Saltator atriceps) is a striking and robust passerine, instantly recognizable by its vivid black head and throat sharply contrasted by a brilliant white supercilium that extends from the bill to beyond the eye. Measuring 20.5-23 cm (8-9 inches) in length and weighing 55-66g, its upperparts are a dull olive-green, often with a grayish wash, while its underparts are a consistent dull gray, fading to a paler belly. A key identification feature is its stout, conical, bi...
This saltator thrives in humid evergreen and semi-deciduous forests, preferring forest edges, clearings, and secondary growth. It is also commonly found in coffee plantations and gardens, typically at elevations from sea level up to 1,500 meters, occasionally ranging higher.
This omnivorous species feeds primarily on a diverse diet of fruits, berries, seeds, and buds, supplemented by a variety of insects such as caterpillars, beetles, and ants.
The Black-headed Saltator is a diurnal species, frequently observed singly, in pairs, or small family groups, often joining mixed-species flocks outside the breeding season. It typically forages in the mid-story and subcanopy of trees and shrubs, gleaning insects, fruits, and buds from foliage, o...
The Black-headed Saltator has an extensive resident range, stretching from southeastern Mexico, including the states of Veracruz, Oaxaca, and Chiapas, south through Central America. Its distribution covers all of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. From Ce...
Least Concern
- The Black-headed Saltator is one of the larger species within its genus, making it a prominent presence in its habitat. - Its scientific name 'Saltator' is Latin for 'leaper' or 'dancer,' a fitting description for its active foraging style. - Males often deliver their loud, clear, whistling son...