Black-backed Grosbeak

About the Black-backed Grosbeak

The black-backed grosbeak (Pheucticus aureoventris) is a bird in the family Cardinalidae, the cardinals or cardinal grosbeaks. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela. They are often kept as cagebirds.

The black-backed grosbeak has five recognized subspecies: P. a. meridensis Riley, 1905 P. a. uropygialis Sclater, PL & Salvin, 1871 P. a. crissalis Sclater, PL & Salvin, 1877 P. a. terminalis Chapman, 1919 P. a. aureoventris (d'Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1837)

There is some evidence that the black-backed grosbeak may be paraphyletic with respect to golden grosbeak (Pheucticus chrysogaster). Their ranges overlap in Peru. The black-backed grosbeak is approximately 22 cm (8.7 in) long and weighs 43.8 to 66.2 grams (1.54 to 2.34 oz). All of the subspecies except P. a. crissalis are very similar. The males' upperparts are black with a yellow shoulder patch; the closed wings show white patches. The chin, throat, and upper breast are also black. The lower breast and belly are bright yellow with a variable amount of black flecking on the sides and flanks. The female is similar but browner and has... Wikipedia →