Black-faced Grosbeak

Caryothraustes poliogaster

eBird describes the Black-faced Grosbeak like this:  Rather chunky, social bird of humid evergreen forest and edge in tropical lowlands and foothills. Usually in small and often noisy groups (at times up to 50 birds), moving at middle to upper levels in fruiting trees; not usually with mixed-species feeding flocks. Sexes look alike, with subtly attractive plumage: mustard-yellow head and breast with black face and blue-gray belly. Calls are buzzy splutters and whistles.

The Birds of the World website gives this introductory information about this bird:  The Black-faced Grosbeak is a common resident of the lowlands of the Caribbean slope of Central America, from southern Mexico south to western Panama; it is replaced in eastern Panama and in northern and eastern South America by a related species, Yellow-green Grosbeak (Caryothraustes canadensis). Black-faced Grosbeaks forage in the canopy of evergreen forest, where they travel in noisy flocks of up to 50 individuals; these flocks may associate with other birds in mixed species flocks, but Black-faced Grosbeaks also often travel apart from other species. Their diet is varied, including insects, fruits and seeds, and nectar. Their nest is a shallow bowl, which may be attended by up to three or four adult Black-faced Grosbeaks.I saw my first Black-faced Grosbeak at La Selva on the late afternoon of Sunday, February 5, 2023.  The bird was near the mess hall and I got a good look at it.  I was delighted to meet this attractive bird!  To read my blog post about my visit to La Selva where I met this bird, look here.