The thick-billed saltator is a species of saltator in the family Thraupidae. It is found in highland Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil, far northeastern Argentina, and perhaps far eastern Paraguay. Unlike most other saltators, it is sexually dichromatic: Females resemble a green-winged saltator, but with a thicker bill, greener face and buff throat. The male thick-billed saltator is unique with its long white eyebrow, grey back, and black and orange beak.
Region
Atlantic Forest (SE Brazil and Misiones, Argentina)
Typical Environment
Occurs patchily in the highland Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil, extending into far northeastern Argentina (Misiones), with occasional reports from adjacent eastern Paraguay. It favors humid montane evergreen forest, forest edges, secondary growth, and bamboo-rich understory. Birds often use midstory and canopy edges, descending to feed at fruiting shrubs and trees. It may appear in forested parks and shaded orchards near continuous forest.
Altitude Range
600–2000 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Unlike most saltators, this species is strongly sexually dichromatic: males show a bold white eyebrow and gray tones while females are greener with a buffy throat. Its massive, two-toned bill easily cracks hard seeds, and it also takes fruits and some insects. It is tied to the highland Atlantic Forest and can be quite skulking, favoring dense foliage and bamboo thickets.
Temperament
wary and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Typically seen in pairs or small family groups, maintaining territories in dense vegetation. Likely monogamous, building a cup nest concealed in shrubs or bamboo. Joins mixed-species flocks occasionally along forest edges and clearings.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Rich, ringing whistles delivered in short phrases, often from semi-concealed perches. Calls include sharp chips and mellow, flute-like notes that carry through the forest.
Plumage
Male with slate-gray upperparts, cleaner gray underparts, a striking long white supercilium, and dark facial mask; bill thick and two-toned. Female is olive-green above with paler, buffy throat and more subdued facial pattern, resembling a green-winged saltator but with a heavier bill. Both sexes show robust build and strong, conical bill.
Diet
Feeds on hard seeds, berries, and small fruits, using its powerful bill to crack and crush. Supplements plant matter with insects and other arthropods, especially during breeding. Will take flower buds and occasionally glean invertebrates from foliage.
Preferred Environment
Forages at midstory and canopy edges, along forest borders, and in dense thickets, particularly bamboo. Visits fruiting trees and shrubs and sometimes forages in semi-open secondary growth near forest.
