Black-headed Saltator

Taxobox
name = Black-headed Saltator
status = LC
status_system = iucn3.1
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Passeriformes
familia = see text
genus = "Saltator" (but see text)
species = "S. atriceps"
binomial = "Saltator atriceps"
binomial_authority = (Lesson, 1832)

The Black-headed Saltator, "Saltator atriceps", is a seedeating bird. Traditionally placed in the cardinal family (Cardinalidae), it actually seems to be closer to the tanagers (Thraupidae)See the genus article for details] . It breeds from central Mexico to eastern Panama.

The genus "Saltator" is apparently polyphyletic. Whether the present species will remain in "Saltator" or eventually be moved to another genus remains to be seen. Somewhat similar in coloration to the Buff-throated Saltator, the genus' type species (which would retain the genus name), it resembles the probably well distant Black-throated Saltator or even the Golden-billed Saltator in other aspects [Hellack & Schnell (1977). Note that this is a phenetic study, giving a measure of similarity rather than relatedness.] .

This bird is on average 24 cm long and weighs 85 g. The adult has a slate-grey head with a whitish supercilium. The upperparts are yellowish green, the underparts are pale grey, and the throat is white edged with black. The thick convex bill is black and the legs are brown. Young birds are duller, and have mottling on the breast and brown markings on the underparts. This species is similar to the Buff-throated Saltator, but is larger and has a darker head and paler underparts.

The common call is a raucous "deeeer". The song is a loud scratchy "cher cher jur jur weeee", often given by males as a duet.

The Black-headed Saltator is a species of dense vegetation. The Black-headed Saltator feeds on fruit [E.g. of "Cymbopetalum mayanum" (Annonaceae): Forster (2007).] , buds, nectar and slow-moving insects. It forages at low and mid levels, sometimes with mixed species flocks.

The two black-marked pale blue eggs per clutch measure some 24-34 mm long by about 18-23.5 mm wide and weigh about 4.9-5.5 grams each [I.e. large among "Saltator" eggs (Echeverry-Galvis & Córdoba-Córdoba 2006). A specimen measuring 36.2 mm long and 18.7 mm wide seems to have an abnormal shape.] . They are laid in a bulky grass-lined cup nest up to 3 m high in a thicket between April and July.

Footnotes

References

*|year=2004|id=54076|title=Saltator atriceps|downloaded=12 May 2006 Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
* (2006): Descripción del huevo del saltátor collarejo ("Saltator cinctus") y comentarios preliminares sobre huevos del género "Saltator". ["Description of the egg of the Masked Saltator ("S. cinctus") and preliminary comments on the eggs of the genus "Saltator"] . "Boletín de la Sociedad Antioqueña de Ornitología" 16(1): 76-84. [Spanish with English abstract] [http://www.sao.org.co/publicaciones/boletinsao/11Echeverry&CordobaSaltator.pdf PDF fulltext]
* (2007): The potential of fruiting trees to enhance converted habitats for migrating birds in southern Mexico. "Bird Conservation International" 17(1): 45-61. doi|10.1017/S0959270906000554 [http://journals.cambridge.org/production/action/cjoGetFulltext?fulltextid=936412 PDF fulltext]
* (1977): Phenetic analysis of the subfamily Cardinalinae using external and skeletal characteristics. "Wilson Bulletin" 89: 130-148.
* (1989): "A guide to the birds of Costa Rica". Comistock, Ithaca. ISBN 0-8014-9600-4

External links

* [http://ibc.hbw.com/ibc/phtml/especie.phtml?idEspecie=9645 Black-headed Saltator videos] on the Internet Bird Collecion
* [http://vireo.acnatsci.org/search.html?Form=Search&SEARCHBY=Common&KEYWORDS=black-headed+saltator&showwhat=images&AGE=All&SEX=All&ACT=All&Search=Search&VIEW=All&ORIENTATION=All&RESULTS=24 Black-headed photo gallery] VIREO
* [http://www.tekipaki.jp/~texbird/Buntings_Cardinals_files/8.jpgPhoto-Medium Res] ; [http://www.tekipaki.jp/~texbird/Buntings_Cardinals.htm Article] tekipaki–"Buntings, Saltators, and Cardinals"