Saltator fuliginosus
The Black-throated Grosbeak (*Saltator fuliginosus*) is a striking and robust songbird belonging to the tanager family (Thraupidae), not true grosbeaks. Measuring approximately 20 cm (8 inches) in length and weighing between 40-58 grams, this medium-sized bird is characterized by its uniformly glossy, sooty-black plumage, which gives it a somber yet elegant appearance. Its most distinctive field mark is a stout, conical bill that ranges from bright coral-red to orange, providing a vivid contr...
This species primarily inhabits humid subtropical and tropical lowland evergreen forests, forest edges, and dense secondary growth, favoring the understory and mid-story vegetation. It is typically found at elevations below 1200 meters (4000 feet).
Their diet primarily consists of fruits, particularly berries, and a variety of insects such as beetles, orthopterans, and their larvae. They also occasionally consume flower buds and nectar.
Black-throated Grosbeaks are diurnal, often secretive birds, though males can be conspicuous when singing from an exposed perch. They forage by gleaning fruits and insects from dense foliage, hopping actively through the undergrowth and mid-story layers of trees. Males establish and defend territ...
The Black-throated Grosbeak is a resident species endemic to South America, primarily found in the Atlantic Forest biome. Its breeding and year-round range extends across eastern and southeastern Brazil, from the states of Alagoas and Bahia south through Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janei...
Least Concern
- Despite its name, the Black-throated Grosbeak is not a 'true grosbeak' (family Cardinalidae) but belongs to the tanager family (Thraupidae). - Its uniform sooty-black plumage, contrasted by a brilliant coral-red to orange bill, makes it one of the most uniquely colored tanagers. - This species ...