Glaucous-blue Grosbeak
Cyanoloxia glaucocaerulea
A medium-sized bulky finchlike species with a small head and a thick bill. Males are blue overall with a glossy blue forehead and rump. Females are dark-brown above and paler below. Found at the edges of second growth and woodlands, typically singly or in pairs and normally very shy. Considered a partial austral migrant, moving a bit further north from the southern limit of its range in winter.
Identification
The glaucous-blue grosbeak is approximately 14 cm (5.5 in) long. Three birds weighed from 16 to 19.5 g (0.56 to 0.69 oz). The male is generally dark sky blue that is lighter on the forehead and rump and is grayish on the lower belly. It has a small black "mask". The female is brown overall, warm and dark above and orange-tinged below. The immature is orange-brown that is darker on the back, and it has a hint of blue on the forehead and cheek.
Taxonomy
The glaucous-blue grosbeak is monotypic.<p>For much of its history, the glaucous-blue grosbeak was the only member of genus Cyanoloxia. Following a 2004 publication, the blue-black grosbeak (now Cyanoloxia cyanoides) and ultramarine grosbeak (now Cyanoloxia brissonii) were moved from genus Cyanocompsa. What is now Amazonian grosbeak (Cyanoloxia cyanoides) was later split from blue-black grosbeak.
- Scientific name
- Cyanoloxia glaucocaerulea
- Authority
- (d'Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1837)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Cardinalidae
- Genus
- Cyanoloxia
Range and habitat
The glaucous-blue grosbeak nests in northeastern Argentina, southeastern Brazil, and much of Uruguay. During the austral winter, some move into southeastern Paraguay and further north in Brazil. It inhabits low, somewhat dense, vegetation such as along forest edges, on river islands, in marshes, and in secondary forest. In elevation it ranges from near sea level to 1,700 m (5,600 ft) in Brazil.
- Breeding range
- SA : e Paraguay, ne Argentina and s Brazil
- Non-breeding range
- to Uruguay and e Argentina
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
The glaucous-blue grosbeak is known to forage in pairs but other details and its diet have not been published.<p>The glaucous-blue grosbeak's breeding phenology has only been documented in Uruguay. There it nests from October to December. Two to four eggs are laid in a cup nest of twigs placed in dense vegetation.<p>The glaucous-blue grosbeak usually sings from dense cover, "a fast, high, hurried jumbled warbling" [1]. Its call is "psit" or "jit" [2].
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Very small bird of humid tropical forest and edge. Favors vine tangles at mid-upper levels, where moves actively, holding its tail cocked and flopping it from side to side. Appearance is distinctive, with buffy face, very long thin bill, and fairly long tail with white tips. Similar to Chattering Gnatwren but lacks the extra white spots on outer tail feathers. Easily overlooked, but rising and falling trilled song reveals its presence.
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