The olive-grey saltator, also known as the Caribbean grey saltator, is a quiet, grey-colored passerine bird in the tanager family Thraupidae, native to Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, far northern Brazil, and Trinidad. It was formerly considered conspecific with the greyish saltator, but was split as a distinct species by the IOC in 2021. The olive-grey saltator includes the subspecies brewsteri and plumbeus.
Region
Northern South America and Trinidad
Typical Environment
Occurs from northern Colombia and Venezuela east through the Guianas to far northern Brazil, and on Trinidad. It favors semi-open habitats including forest edges, second-growth, thickets, ranchlands, and gardens. Often found near fruiting trees and along riparian vegetation. Readily uses human-modified landscapes where dense shrub cover persists.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Also called the Caribbean grey saltator, this tanager was split from the Greyish Saltator complex by the IOC in 2021. It carries a heavy, conical bill well-suited to cracking seeds and often frequents gardens and second-growth scrub. The species includes the subspecies brewsteri and plumbeus.
An olive-grey saltator in Lorica, Córdoba, Colombia, foraging for berries.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically seen in pairs or small family groups, sometimes accompanying mixed-species flocks along edges. Territorial during breeding season, with both sexes participating in nesting. Nest is a cup placed in dense shrubs or low trees; clutch usually 2–3 eggs.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a mellow series of rich, whistled phrases delivered at a measured pace. Calls include sharp chips and short, buzzy notes when alarmed. Males often sing from semi-concealed perches within shrubs.
Plumage
Overall olivaceous-gray with slightly greener-olive upperparts and paler gray underparts; throat often whitish to pale gray. Shows a subtle pale supercilium and malar line with a duskier auricular patch. Feathers appear smooth and plain, lacking strong streaking.
Diet
Eats a mix of seeds, small fruits and berries, flower buds, and occasional insects. Uses its stout bill to crack hard seeds and husk them efficiently. Frequently visits fruiting shrubs and small trees and will glean insects among foliage.
Preferred Environment
Forages in dense shrubbery, forest edges, hedgerows, and gardens. Often feeds at mid-levels but will also drop to the ground to pick fallen fruits and seeds.
