Grey-throated Chat

The Grey-throated Chat, known scientifically as Granatellus sallaei, is a diminutive bird, measuring approximately 13 cm in length and weighing between 8.8 to 11 grams. This species exhibits sexual dimorphism. The male is adorned with a grey head, back, wings, and tail, contrasted by a striking white supercilium behind the eye and a rose-red breast and vent area. The flanks are grey, merging into the white underparts. The female, however, sports a more subdued palette with a duller grey crown, nape, and upperparts, and a buff supercilium, face, breast, flanks, and vent area, with a white throat and belly.

Identification Tips

To identify the Grey-throated Chat, look for the male's distinctive white supercilium and rose-red underparts. The female can be recognized by her buff-colored face and underparts. Both sexes have a relatively uniform grey upper body, which can aid in identification.

Habitat

This bird favors the lowland regions, where it resides in dry to semi-humid forests, forest edges, and adjacent dense scrub. It can also be found in thickets within evergreen forests but tends to avoid humid forest environments.

Distribution

The Grey-throated Chat has a range that includes southern Veracruz, most of Tabasco, eastern Oaxaca, and northern Chiapas. The subspecies G. s. boucardi is found from the Yucatán Peninsula extending south to central Guatemala and Belize.

Behaviour

The Grey-throated Chat is known to forage by gleaning on the ground and in low vegetation. It is often observed following army ant swarms, capitalizing on the insects and other arthropods that are disturbed by the ants' movements.

Song & Calls

The song of the Grey-throated Chat is a variable series of 4–5 whistled notes. It also emits a fairly harsh 'chwit' call, which can be heard amidst the forest's symphony.

Breeding

Pairs of Grey-throated Chats are territorial and remain in their chosen area throughout the year. Their nests are cups placed low in vegetation. The limited data available suggests that a typical clutch may consist of two eggs, but further details on their breeding habits remain elusive.

Conservation status

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the Grey-throated Chat as Least Concern. While there are no precise population estimates, the species is generally considered to be fairly common within its range.