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TANAGERS (THRAUPIDAE; 45+ SPECIES) Very large, diverse neotropical family.

Molecular studies have found, however, that many species formerly treated in other families are

tanagers that have diversified to fill many niches. Meanwhile, numerous former ‘tanagers’ are

now placed in other families. Tanagers now include seedeaters and grassquits (pp. 392–395),

flowerpiercers and some ‘finches’ (p. 396), plus saltators, honeycreepers. Ages/sexes differ or

similar, attain adult appearance within 1st year, often within a few weeks.

GENUS SALTATOR

(5 species). Large, stout-billed tanagers, formerly considered as cardinalids. Ages

differ, sexes mostly similar. Often unobtrusive, quietly eating leaves, flowers, fruit; best detected by voice.

BLACK-HEADED SALTATOR  Saltator atriceps 25–27 cm. Large saltator of

humid forest edge, second growth, overgrown clearing with trees and shrubs,

gardens. Typically in small groups, roving at mid–upper levels; behavior ranges

from quiet and shy to loud and obnoxious. Distinctive, with big white bib, large

size, loud calls. Black on head and throat variable, averages more extensive in

north. Juv. has messier head pattern, bib mottled dusky. SOUNDS: Often rather

noisy. Sharp smacking barks and chuckling chatters, often run together. STATUS: Fairly common to uncommon

on Caribbean slope, to 1300m; may be spreading to Pacific slope. (Mexico to w. Panama.)

BUFF-THROATED SALTATOR  Saltator maximus 20.5–22.5cm. Humid low­land

forest edge, leafy second growth, overgrown plantations, gardens. Often in pairs

and rather unobtrusive, low to high; feeds quietly on flowers and in fruiting trees.

Juv. head mostly olive with messy whitish throat patch, paler bill. SOUNDS: High,

slightly tinny or sibilant tsii. Song a short, pleasant, slightly tinny, overall down­

slurred warble, mostly 1–1.5 secs. STATUS: Fairly common to common on both

slopes, to 1800m, rarely higher; less numerous in drier nw. lowlands. (Mexico to

S America.)

CINNAMON-BELLIED [GRAYISH] SALTATOR  Saltator [coerulescens] grandis

21–23.5cm. Varied wooded and edge habitats from humid forest to dry brushy

woodland, hedgerows, second growth, gardens, especially with flowering vines.

Low to high, from leafy vine tangles to fruiting canopy; often rather sluggish,

sitting quietly and munching flowers. Distinctive, with stout black bill, white

eyebrow, grayish upperparts; 1st-year strongly suffused yellowish. SOUNDS: High,

slightly squeaky ssii, more tinny than ssip calls of Turdus thrushes. Varied

arrangements of rich whistles, chips, and warbles, at times prolonged; often a

drawn-out, strongly upslurred whistle teu-whieeeeeh and a quavering trill chur-r-r-

r-r. STATUS: Fairly common to uncommon in north, scarce and local but spreading in south; to 1800m.

(Mexico to w. Panama.)

STREAKED SALTATOR  Saltator striatipectus 18–20cm. Small saltator of second

growth, scrubby thickets, woodland edge, overgrown gardens. Tends to be rather

skulking, usually in pairs. Distinctive, with olive upperparts, streaked underparts,

and weak face pattern; many birds have yellow bill tip and gape. Juv. duller,

browner overall. SOUNDS: Fairly loud, metallic spik! Song an un­hurried chant of

(usually 5–9) slurred whistles, 1.5–3 secs; dawn song a slightly jerky slow chant of

rich slurred whistles and mellow chirps, such as chihr ch chu chiu chi chihr chih

chu..., 1–2 notes/sec, for up to 30 secs or more. STATUS: Fairly common in interior

valleys of s. Pacific slope, to 1600m; scarce and local but spreading n. to Central

Valley. (Costa Rica to Peru.)

SLATE-COLORED GROSBEAK  Saltator grossus 19–21cm. Humid lowland

forest and edge, adjacent plantations, taller second growth. Distinctive but easily

overlooked; big bright red bill diagnostic. Mainly rather sluggish at mid–upper

levels inside forest; sometimes joins mixed flocks. Juv. duller, sooty gray overall; bill

dusky, becoming red over 1st winter. SOUNDS: Nasal, rough mewing eéahr; sharp

metallic plik. Rich warbled song about 1 sec, often repeated monotonously at short

intervals, less often alternates variations. STATUS: Uncommon on Caribbean slope,

to 1200m. (Honduras to S America.)