Bluish-gray Salator

Saltator coerulescens

The Birds of the World website introduces the Bluish-gray Salator with this descriptive information:  Prior to the recent recognition of the northern populations as separate species, Bluish-gray Saltator (then Grayish Saltator) had an extremely large range, similar to that of its congener, Buff-throated Saltator (Saltator maximus). Nevertheless, even with the removal of Olive-gray Saltator (Saltator olivascens) and Cinnamon-bellied Saltator (Saltator grandis), the range of Bluish-gray Saltator remains large, extending across much of the Amazon Basin and southern South America, east of the Andes. It is a typically conspicuous member of the local avifauna in most of its range, and is common in lowland scrub and semi-open areas. There is some degree of plumage variation across this wide range, especially in the depth of the upperparts coloration. Immature birds possess some green on the wings, which might lead the inexperienced observer to confuse this species with the partially sympatric Green-winged Saltator (Saltator similis), a species basically endemic to the Atlantic Forest biome. Breeding information for Bluish-gray Saltator has been published from nearly all portions of its range, yet few studies have focused on the details of its breeding ecology, such as incubation rhythms or nest site selection. Similarly, there are numerous anecdotal reports of its feeding habits, as it is known to consume vegetative plant parts such as leaves and flower petals, yet there have been few quantified studies of its feeding or digestive physiology.

I met my first Bluish-gray Salator on Wednesday, August 30, 2023.  Our Jeff Parker Tour group was staying at Southwild’s Pouso Alegre Lodge  and I watched this bird at the main feeding area on the lodge grounds.  For details of my Brazilian trip that include the sighting of this bird, look here.  Below are a couple of my photos of this rather striking bird.  As you can see, I was only able to get head shots, as the bird’s body was blocked by a feed trough.