Robust bird measuring approximately 21 cm, with a very large, conical, and powerful bill. The male shows black head, back, wings, tail, throat, and upper breast, strongly contrasting with the bright yellow lower underparts. The wings display conspicuous white patches and a striking yellow shoulder patch. Tail black with broad white spots on the outer rectrices, and whitish undertail coverts. Bill and legs bluish gray. The female is similar, though duller and browner, with less intense dark tones and more mottled yellow underparts. Juveniles are paler and duller, with brownish tones on the upperparts, spotted throat and breast, and pinkish lower mandible.
Geographic distribution: Distributed along the eastern slope of the Andes from Venezuela to northwestern Argentina. In Argentina it mainly inhabits the Yungas and mountain ranges of the center and northwest, from Jujuy and Salta to Córdoba and San Luis, between approximately 600 and more than 3,000 meters above sea level.
Habitat: Inhabits montane forests and jungles of the Yungas, especially associated with alder forests of Alnus acuminata, as well as humid shrubby ravines in La Rioja and mountainous sectors with Chaco vegetation in the central ranges. Occasionally frequents open wooded areas, gardens, and agricultural zones. In the Yungas of northwestern Argentina it performs seasonal altitudinal movements: during autumn and winter it descends from the Montane Forest to piedmont jungles and lower Chaco environments, temporarily incorporating into these habitats. Part of the population apparently also carries out latitudinal movements outside the country, reaching regions of Bolivia, the Chaco, and the Pantanal during the non-breeding season.
Diet: Omnivorous, feeding on seeds, fruits, and insects.
Behavior: Generally a conspicuous species, often perching and singing from high perches. It moves mainly alone or in pairs and usually does not join mixed-species flocks. It generally searches for food among trees, moving through different vegetation levels; although it mainly forages high in the canopy, it may also descend to the ground. Occasionally, several individuals may gather in fruiting trees with abundant food. Its song consists of a melodious and slow series of varied whistles and modulated phrases; it also emits short, nasal, and sharp calls.
Nesting: Nests in shrubs and low trees. The nest is a cup built with stems, plant fibers, and fine rootlets, located several meters above the ground. The clutch consists of 2 to 3 pale greenish or bluish eggs, with fine brown spots concentrated mainly toward one pole.
Conservation status: Internationally categorized as Least Concern (LC) and not threatened nationally. In the Yungas of northwestern Argentina, where much of its habitat is still preserved and several protected areas exist, it is usually a relatively common species and does not face significant known threats. In contrast, in the central mountain ranges of Córdoba and San Luis, degradation of the Chaco mountain woodland and intense capture pressure for the illegal cage-bird trade could affect local populations. As a consequence of its frequent illegal commercialization, there are numerous isolated records outside its natural distribution range, especially in eastern provinces, probably corresponding to escaped or released captive individuals.
Authors of this compilation: María Belén Dri and Diego Carús – 05/15/2026