Velvet-fronted Grackle Lampropsar tanagrinus Scientific name definitions

The Velvet-fronted Grackle is the sole member of is genus and it is related to Macroagelaius (Golden-tufted and Mountain grackles) but very distantly to the true grackles in the genus Quiscalus. Along with Macroagelaius, and the Oriole Blackbird (Gymnomystax mexicanus), these species form an old lineage within the blackbird-grackle group of icterids. Velvet-fronted Grackles are all black and shiny showing variable purplish or blue iridescence to the plumage. They are slim and long-tailed with relatively short bills. The feathers on the forehead are indeed short and bristly, giving the bird its name, and the role of these special feathers is not clear. This is a species of humid, often flooded forest, as well as river islands and riparian sites. In Bolivia, copses of threes in flooded savanna are the preferred habitat. The systematics within this species need study, there are five named subspecies. These differ noticeably in size and iridescence color and many are isolated populations. It is likely that the southern Bolivian group (boliviensis) is a distinct species from the rest, and maybe even three species level taxa are involved here. Vocalizations need to be studied as well as they may shed some light into the taxonomic situation.

Male average 20·3 cm, 59·4 g; female average 19 cm, 55·2 g. All-dark icterid with short, conical bill and rather long and fan-shaped tail; feathers on forehead and lores stiff and plush-like. Male nominate race is entirely black, with bluish to purple gloss on upperparts; iris dark brown; bill and legs black. Differs from Quiscalus lugubris in smaller size, smaller bill, eye colour, tail shape, drabber coloration, and voice. Female is similar to male, but slightly duller. Juvenile resembles adult. Race guianensis is smaller than nominate, has blue gloss on underparts and brownish under­wing-coverts; macropterus is larger than nominate, tail glossed green; violaceus has distinctive violet iridescence; boliviensis is smaller than others.

Editor's Note: This article requires further editing work to merge existing content into the appropriate Subspecies sections. Please bear with us while this update takes place.

Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Usually near water (rivers, channels, oxbow lakes, marshes) in primary forest and secondary forest, riparian woodland and shady plantations. Also in mangroves in Venezuela and Guyana. In Amazonia occurs in várzea or igapó vegetation; in E Bolivia in seasonally flooded savanna with motacú palms (Scheelea princeps). Nominate race and guianensis up to 400 m; boliviensis to 500 m.

Apparently resident.

Few data on diet; stomach contents beetles (Coleoptera) and alate ants (Formicidae). Forages in lower and middle levels of vegetation, also on emergent and floating aquatic plants. Found mostly in groups of 3–10 individuals, sometimes up to 30 and exceptionally up to 100.

Season Mar in Guyana, Sept in Ecuador, and Oct and Feb in Bolivia. Seems to be a co-operative breeder, but scant available information. A nest in Guyana was made mostly from roots, and placed in a shrub over water; in Ecuador, three individuals helped in nest-building (at least one other also visited during building stage, and five individuals reported one week later), nest was a cup 28 cm tall and with external diameter 14 cm, made from long fibrous roots, loose fibres up to 80 cm long dangling below nest, placed on drooping branch of small Inga tree over channel 5 m wide in flooded area; in Bolivia, one nest a rather thick, deep cup 29 cm in height, external diameter 12 cm, built from roots, slender stems and dark fungal rhizomorphs (presumably of Marasmius), sited 2 m above ground in orange tree in plantation. Clutch 3 eggs (Bolivia), elongated, pale bluish-green with brown and blackish dots, blotches and scrawls, dimensions 24·6–25·3 × 16·2–16·3 mm; no information on incubation and nestling periods.

Not globally threatened. Rather uncommon to fairly common and locally common. Tolerates moderate habitat modification.