Thick-billed Saltator Saltator maxillosus Scientific name definitions

Almost endemic to southeast Brazil, where it ranges as far north as the state of Espírito Santo, the Thick-billed Saltator is also found in extreme northeast Argentina and is generally uncommon and rather local. This saltator has been recorded to 2200 m, but is principally montane in the north of its range, and the species is typically found in the canopy of mature forest. Well named for its heavy bill, which has a distinctive orange-colored base, the upperparts are grayish above in males (but olive-colored in females) and buffy grayish below, but the other most striking features are the buff throat, bordered by a black malar stripe, and the white supercilium.

SE Brazil (extreme SE Bahia and extreme E Minas Gerais S to Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul) and extreme NE Argentina (Misiones).

Unusually for a passerine, seems to be mainly folivore, especially during dry season when fruit less available. Diet, based on dry-season observations, includes leaves of several families of trees (Melastomataceae, Solanaceae, Rubiaceae and Asteraceae, among others), as well as fruits of various species (2 Munson, E.S. and Robinson, W.D. (1992). Extensive folivory by Thick-billed Saltators (Saltator maxillosus) in Southern Brazil. Auk 109(4): 917-919. Close ). Additional observations throughout the year confirm leaves as main food items (including leaves of bamboo belonging to the genera Chusquea and Merostachys), although fruits and flowers are also commonly consumed and there are two records of preying on caterpillars (3 Parrini, R., Pacheco, J.F. and Soares, B.R. (2009). Observaçőes sobre a dieta e comportamento alimentar de Saltator maxillosus (Passeriformes: Cardinalidae) na Floresta Atlântica serrana das Regiőes Sudeste e Sul do Brasil. Atualidades Ornitológicas. 150: 33–36. In Portuguese with English summary. Close ). During breeding season other members of genus tend to eat more animal matter. Usually in pairs; often joins mixed-species flocks. Forages at all levels, mostly at higher ones.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Uncommon. Formerly occurred also in E Paraguay (Alto Paraná), but no records since early decades of 20th century. Much of this species’ habitat has been destroyed during last century. Occurs in some protected areas, including Itatiaia National Park, in Brazil.