Black-thighed Grosbeak

Taxobox
name = Black-thighed Grosbeak

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status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Passeriformes
familia = Cardinalidae
genus = "Pheucticus"
species = "P. tibialis"
binomial = "Pheucticus tibialis"
binomial_authority = Lawrence, 1867

The Black-thighed Grosbeak, "Pheucticus tibialis", is a large seed-eating bird in the cardinal family, which is endemic to the mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama.

This species breeds from about 1000m altitude (Pacific slope) or 1500 m (Caribbean slope) up to 2600 m and is found in canopy, woodland edge and semi-open habitats such as pasture with some trees. The nest is a thin cup constructed on a bulky twig base 1-3 m up in a small tree or amongst vines. The female lays two brown-spotted pale blue eggs between March and May.

The adult Black-thighed Grosbeak is 20 cm long, weighs 70 g, and has a massive grey bill. The male has a yellow head, rump and underparts, an olive-edged black back, and black wings, thighs and tail. There is a white patch on the flight feathers. The female is paler with more olive on the back and a smaller white wing patch. Immatures are duller and more olive-tinged, and have streaking and mottling on the body plumage.

The Black-thighed Grosbeak forages in shrubs or trees for insects, seeds and berries. The call is a sharp "pink", and the song is a musical stream of warbles, whistles, trills and slurs.

References

* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
* Stiles and Skutch, "A guide to the birds of Costa Rica" ISBN 978-0-8014-9600-4