Saltator aurantiirostris
The Golden-billed Saltator (Saltator aurantiirostris) is a robust, medium-sized passerine, measuring approximately 20-22 cm (8-8.7 in) in length and weighing between 45-60 grams. Its most striking feature, lending it its name, is its bright orange to golden-yellow conical bill, which stands out against its otherwise subdued plumage. Adults exhibit a greyish head with a prominent white supercilium extending from above the eye to the ear coverts, a contrasting black malar stripe, and a clean wh...
This species favors a variety of open and semi-open habitats, including montane and lowland scrub, forest edges, bushy pastures, gardens, and urban parks, typically found at elevations ranging from sea level up to 3,500 meters (11,500 feet) in some Andean regions.
Their diet is omnivorous and highly varied, consisting mainly of fruits, buds, seeds, and insects, with a particular preference for berries and softer fruits.
Golden-billed Saltators are diurnal birds, often observed foraging actively during the cooler parts of the day and taking siestas during midday heat. They are primarily arboreal but will descend to the ground to forage, exhibiting a hopping gait. Foraging involves gleaning insects and fruits from...
The Golden-billed Saltator boasts a wide distribution across central and southern South America. Its primary breeding range extends from central Bolivia through Paraguay, Uruguay, and across much of Argentina. It is also found in the southern reaches of Brazil, particularly in Rio Grande do Sul, ...
Least Concern
- The Golden-billed Saltator's scientific name 'aurantiirostris' literally translates to 'golden-billed,' perfectly describing its most distinctive feature. - Despite its common name, it is not closely related to the true saltators of the genus Saltator in the traditional sense, with recent DNA s...