The Story
I photographed this Olive-gray Saltator (Saltator olivascens) at Finca Ecoturística San Javier, in the vereda Chucuní near Ibagué, Tolima, Colombia. It ranges from northeastern Colombia through Venezuela and the Guianas into northern Brazil, and it does not migrate. Fruit and leaves make up about 64 percent of its diet, and it feeds its chicks protein-rich insects. It is common even in areas changed by people, along forest edges, shrublands and second growth. Both males and females sing, sometimes in duets. IUCN lists it as Least Concern.
I used a Canon R5 with the RF 800mm f/11 for this one, at 1/750 sec, f/11, ISO 3200. Finca San Javier offers guided birding as part of its work to help conserve the tropical dry forest of the Chucuní area.
©2022 Adam Rainoff Photographer
The bird
The Olive-gray Saltator (Saltator olivascens) belongs to the family Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies) in the eBird/Clements taxonomy.
Source: eBird.org (opens in a new tab)
Conservation
Least Concern on the IUCN Red List (assessment published 2021), with the population trend listed as stable. Source: IUCN Red List