Black-throated Saltator Saltatricula atricollis Scientific name definitions

The Black-throated Saltator is very widely distributed across the interior of eastern South America; it is almost endemic to Brazil, but for narrow extensions of its range into neighboring Bolivia and Paraguay, and is very largely confined to the Cerrado biome. Despite considerable habitat loss within this region in recent decades, this saltator remains a relatively common and conspicuous inhabitant of scrubby habitats, where its habit of perching atop bushes, low trees and even telephone wires and poles makes it easily observed. Mostly brown above, the black face and throat, and orange bill are easily observed distinguishing marks.

20–20·5 cm; one male 53·8 g. Forehead is dark brown, crown and upper­parts , including upperwing-coverts and remiges, dull dark brown with lighter brown feather edges; tail dark brown with diffuse darker transverse bars; face , chin and throat black, merging into brownish-grey on posterior ear-coverts; chest pale buffy grey, becoming warmer buff on belly, flanks and vent; iris chocolate-brown; bill orange, blackish culmen; legs light brown. Sexes alike. Juvenile has buff edgings on black throat feathers, dark bill.

E & C Brazil (from N Ceará and Maranhão, also recently Pernambuco, S in interior to Mato Grosso, N São Paulo and S Minas Gerais), N & E Bolivia (La Paz, Beni and Santa Cruz) and NE Paraguay.

Dry caatinga and cerrado scrub, mostly at 500–1300 m, locally to 1800 m in E Brazil.

Apparently sedentary.

Diet in Minas Gerais (Brazil) mostly seeds and flower buds, followed by fruit and small numbers of invertebrates. Occurs in mixed-species foraging flocks, typically being found alone only when breeding; often acts as a nucleus to other flocking species and frequently performs sentry duty, sitting on exposed perch and giving universally recognized alarm call on approach of predator. Forages frequently on ground.

Song a fast and musical jumbled warbling , e.g. “weet-jewir-p-weet­jeweer”, lasting c. 3 three seconds, unlike that of any other member of genus; several individuals may sing together antiphonally. Call a high “wheek-wheek” or “bits”, like sound of pebbles clicking together; alarm call at nest a loud penetrating “squeeeuw”.

Few data available, all from Minas Gerais (Brazil). Birds carrying food to young in Mar–Apr, nest with well-feathered young on 17th Mar and another with two well-feathered young in late Oct, and adult carrying nesting material on 10th Oct; spread of dates suggests that species possibly at least double-brooded. Evidence of additional birds other than parents helping at some nests. One nest a cup of coarse grasses and twigs, external diameter 15·5 × 13·5 cm, cup diameter 8·8 cm, situated 0·9 m up in bush; second nest, at 1250 m, was a grass cup c. 9 cm in internal diameter and 18 cm in external diameter, built on ground into side of tussock of coarse grass, some very small bushes giving sparse concealment from above. Clutch 2 eggs, blue or greenish-white, marked with dull brown or black. No other information.

Not globally threatened. Quite common in parts of its range. First recorded in Beni, in NE Bolivia, in 2004, since when there have been several further observations. This species’ habitat is under threat in many parts of its range; some areas of habitat protected by national parks.