Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #18

By Jim Gain

4/30/2023

• Scientific Name: Saltator grandis
• Name in Spanish (Mexico): Saltador Gris Mesoamericano
• Name in Mayan: Tsapiim
• ABA 4-Letter Bird Code: CBSA
• Family: Thraupidae – Tanagers and Allies
• Order: Passeriformes – Perching Birds

About this Species

The Cinnamon-bellied Saltator is gray above and grayish or buffy/”cinnamon” below, with a strong whitish eyebrow and black malar stripes that boarder a white throat. 

Cinnamon-bellied Saltators prefer to live in wooded areas and forest edges, where they forage for insects, seeds, and fruit. They are known to be territorial birds and will defend their territories aggressively against other birds of their own species. Their breeding season typically begins in March and lasts until August, during which time they construct nests from twigs and grasses.

While the Cinnamon-bellied Saltator is not considered to be globally threatened, it is a species of conservation concern in Belize due to habitat loss and degradation. Efforts are being made to protect the remaining habitat of this species, and ecotourism can play a role in promoting the conservation of the Cinnamon-bellied Saltator and its habitat. Visitors to Belize can enjoy observing this beautiful bird in its natural habitat, while also contributing to its conservation

>> Next Post on Tuesday, 5/2/2023 – Yucatan Jay

Previous posts from Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog

• White Ibis
• Limpkin
• Anhinga
• Scaly-breasted Hummingbird
• Gray-breasted Martin