Olivaceous Saltator

The Olive-grey Saltator, also known as the Caribbean Grey Saltator, is a passerine bird of modest hue, belonging to the tanager family Thraupidae. It is characterized by a thick, slightly hooked black bill, white superciliaries resembling an eyebrow, and a thin white crescent beneath its eye. The bird's plumage is primarily dark grey on the back, with a light grey underside that shows hints of buff towards the flanks and undertail coverts. The species exhibits sexual monomorphism, meaning both sexes share a similar appearance, while juveniles display a more olive and yellow wash, particularly on their undersides.

Identification Tips

To identify the Olive-grey Saltator, look for its distinct black malar stripes framing a white throat, and the absence of a truly olive back, which sets it apart from its relatives, the Buff-throated Saltator and the Streaked Saltator. The bird's bill is notable for its robustness and slight curvature.

Habitat

This species thrives in various edge habitats, including forest edges, shrublands, inland wetlands, and secondary growth forests. It is also well-adapted to human-altered landscapes such as orchards, gardens, and residential areas, and has been observed in urban parks and botanical gardens.

Distribution

The Olive-grey Saltator is native to northern South America, with its range extending from northeastern Colombia through Venezuela and the Guianas, reaching into the northernmost regions of Brazil, and inhabiting the island of Trinidad. It is a resident bird, showing no migratory behavior.

Behaviour

The Olive-grey Saltator leads a low-energy lifestyle, dedicating much of its time to rest, song, and preening. These diurnal birds are often heard singing from the canopy, though they forage at various levels throughout the day.

Diet and Feeding

Primarily frugivorous, these birds consume a diet consisting of around 64% fruits and leaves, supplemented by flower buds, tendrils, seed pods, and flowers. They feed their young with high-protein insects and occasionally consume insects themselves during the dry season. They exhibit a preference for tender vegetation and fruits, such as morning glory flowers, and are known to forage efficiently, consuming large amounts quickly to extract necessary nutrients from high-fiber foods.

Breeding

Olive-grey Saltators reach reproductive maturity at one year of age and have a lifespan of approximately 3.8 years, with some individuals living up to 9 years. They construct bulky, open-cup nests in dense vegetation, using dead plant material and finer grasses for lining. Their clutches typically consist of 2-3 light-blue or turquoise eggs adorned with black markings, which are smooth-shelled and oval-shaped.

Song & Calls

The species is known for its "stuttering song" composed of harsh-sounding downslurred notes, alternating between high and low pitches. Both males and females vocalize, sometimes in duets, with a repertoire that includes rising whit notes, overslurred low-pitched chup notes, and high-pitched tseet notes. Their call is a short, high-pitched "tseet!" often integrated into their singing.

Conservation status

The Olive-grey Saltator is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable presence across its range, including in human-modified areas.