Buff-throated Saltator

Taxobox
name = Buff-throated Saltator

---

status = LC
status_system = iucn3.1
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Passeriformes
familia = see text
genus = "Saltator"
species = "S. maximus"
binomial = "Saltator maximus"
binomial_authority = (Muller, 1776)

The Buff-throated Saltator, "Saltator maximus", 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 southeastern Mexico to western Ecuador and northeastern Brazil.

This is the type species of "Saltator". Consequently, it and its closest allies would retain the genus name when this apparently polyphyletic group is eventually split up.

The Buff-throated Saltator is on average 20 cm long and weighs 42-52 g. The adult has a slate-grey head with a white supercilium and a greenish crown. The upperparts are olive green, the underparts are grey becoming buff on the lower belly, and the throat is buff, edged with black. The thick convex bill and legs are black. Young birds are duller, and have a white-mottled blackish throat and breast, and brown markings on the lower underparts.

The common call is a high "seeeer". Males duet melodiously with a warbled "cheery cheery" answered by "cheery to you".

This is a species of dense vegetation. The Buff-throated Saltator feeds on fruit [E.g. of "Cymbopetalum mayanum" (Annonaceae), "Trophis racemosa" (Moraceae), and Gumbo-limbo ("Bursera simaruba"): Forster (2007).] , buds, nectar and slow-moving insects. It forages at low and mid levels, sometimes with mixed species flocks.

The two pale blue eggs per clutch measure some 22-32 mm long by about 16.5-21.5 mm wide and weigh about 4.8-6.1 grams each [I.e. large among "Saltator" eggs (Echeverry-Galvis & Córdoba-Córdoba 2006).] . They are laid in a bulky cup nest up to 2 m high in a tree or bush.

Footnotes

References

*|year=2004|id=54077|title=Saltator maximus|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]
* (2003): "Birds of Venezuela". Christopher Helm, London. ISBN 0-7136-6418-5
* (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=9644 Buff-throated Saltator videos] on the Internet Bird Collection
* [http://vireo.acnatsci.org/search.html?Form=Search&SEARCHBY=Common&KEYWORDS=buff-throated+saltator&showwhat=images&AGE=All&SEX=All&ACT=All&Search=Search&VIEW=All&ORIENTATION=All&RESULTS=24 Buff-throated Saltator photo gallery] VIREO [http://vireo.acnatsci.org/species_image.php?species=Saltator+maximus Photo-High Res--(Close-up)]
* [http://www.ib.usp.br/ceo/images/sal_max_mar.jpgPhoto-Medium Res] ; [http://www.ib.usp.br/ceo/imag_sons/fvcard.htm Article] www.ib.usp.br—"Cardinalidae"
* [http://www.pbase.com/johnglascock/image/70843421 Photo-Very High Res--(Close-up)] ; [http://www.pbase.com/johnglascock/panamabirding Article] pbase.com–" Birding"