The black-throated grosbeak is a seed-eating passerine bird in the tanager family Thraupidae.
Region
Atlantic Forest of southeastern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs primarily in the Atlantic Forest from southeastern Brazil into eastern Paraguay and northeastern Argentina. Favors humid forest edges, secondary woodland, thickets, and gallery forests, often near clearings or along rivers. It keeps to mid-story and understorey vegetation, moving between fruiting trees and seed-rich shrubs. It adapts reasonably well to semi-open, regenerating habitats but depends on nearby mature forest cover.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Despite the name 'grosbeak', this species is actually a tanager (family Thraupidae), not a cardinal. Its thick, powerful bill easily cracks hard seeds, and it supplements its diet with fruits and insects, especially in the breeding season. It is a shy bird that often stays in dense foliage, revealing itself more by its rich, whistled song than by appearance.
Temperament
secretive and wary
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually found singly, in pairs, or small family groups, often keeping to dense cover. Breeding pairs maintain territories and build a cup-shaped nest concealed in shrubs or low trees. Both parents participate in nest defense and feeding of young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a rich series of mellow, whistled phrases delivered from a concealed perch. Calls include sharp chips and rising whistles used for contact and alarm.
Plumage
Male is dark slate-gray to blackish with a distinctly darker black throat and heavy, pale-based conical bill; underparts can appear slightly duskier than the back. Female is duller, olive-brown to gray-brown above with a paler, lightly streaked throat and less contrasting underparts. Both sexes show plain wings and tail with minimal patterning.
Diet
Feeds mainly on hard seeds, which it cracks with its robust bill. Also takes small fruits and berries when available, and supplements with insects and other arthropods, particularly during breeding. Foraging is deliberate, gleaning from shrubs, low trees, and sometimes the ground.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, in second growth, and in dense thickets near clearings or riparian zones. Frequently visits fruiting trees and seed-rich understorey plants, remaining close to cover.
