Gnorimopsar chopi
The Chopi Blackbird (*Gnorimopsar chopi*) is a robust and striking member of the New World blackbird family, Icteridae, prevalent across central and eastern South America. This large blackbird typically measures 28-35 cm (11-13.8 in) in length and weighs between 100-190g, with males notably larger and heavier than females, though both sexes share a similar plumage. Its entire body is a uniformly glossy black, often displaying subtle bluish-purple or greenish iridescence, particularly visible ...
This adaptable species inhabits open and semi-open areas, including grasslands, savannas, pastures, agricultural fields, parks, and suburban environments, often near water bodies. It is generally found at low to moderate elevations, typically below 1500 meters (4900 feet).
The Chopi Blackbird is an omnivorous ground feeder, primarily consuming a wide range of insects and other invertebrates. Its diet also includes seeds, grains (especially cultivated crops like corn and rice), various fruits, and occasionally small vertebrates or carrion.
Chopi Blackbirds are diurnal and highly social, often forming large, sometimes mixed-species, flocks outside the breeding season that roost communally in trees or dense reedbeds. They are primarily ground foragers, employing a deliberate walking gait and frequently probing soft soil with their st...
The Chopi Blackbird is widely distributed across a substantial portion of central and eastern South America. Its primary range extends from northeastern Brazil, southward through eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay, reaching into northeastern Argentina. The species is largely resident througho...
Least Concern
- The Chopi Blackbird is one of the largest members of the New World blackbird family (Icteridae), often appearing quite robust. - It is the sole species within its genus, *Gnorimopsar*, making it a unique monotypic genus among icterids. - Its common name "Chopi" is an onomatopoeia, directly deri...