About Saltator atriceps (R.Lesson, 1832)
The black-headed saltator, scientifically named Saltator atriceps, is a seed-eating bird that belongs to the tanager family Thraupidae. Its breeding range extends from central Mexico to eastern Panama. On average, this species measures 24 cm (9.4 in) in length and weighs 85 g (3.0 oz). Adult black-headed saltators have a slate-grey head with a whitish supercilium. Their upperparts are yellowish green, underparts are pale grey, and the throat is white with black edges. They have a thick, convex black bill and brown legs. Juvenile birds are duller in coloration, with mottling on the breast and brown markings on the underparts. This species is similar to the buff-throated saltator, but it is larger, has a darker head, paler underparts, and a yellow patch on the throat. Its common call is a raucous deeeer. The song is a loud, scratchy cher cher jur jur weeee, often performed by males as part of a duet. The black-headed saltator inhabits areas of dense vegetation. It feeds on fruit, buds, nectar, and slow-moving insects, foraging at low and mid vegetation levels, and sometimes joins mixed-species foraging flocks. Each clutch contains two black-marked pale blue eggs. These eggs measure 24–34 mm (0.94–1.34 in) in length, around 18–23.5 mm (0.71–0.93 in) in width, and weigh approximately 4.9–5.5 g (0.17–0.19 oz) each. Eggs are laid in a bulky, grass-lined cup nest built up to 3 m (9.8 ft) high in a thicket, with nesting occurring between April and July.
