The blue-black grosbeak (Cyanoloxia cyanoides ) is a species of songbird in the family Cardinalidae.
The South American Classification Committee of the American Ornithological Society places this species in genus Cyanoloxia. In addition, in 2018 the committee split the eastern lowland population into a new species, Amazonian grosbeak (Cyanoloxia rothschildii ).
The blue-black grosbeak is sexually dimorphic. Females have dark brown plumage which can have a slight reddish hue. Males are dark blue with lighter blue eyebrows and shoulder patches on their wings. The forehead, the area just above the beak, is also a lighter shade of blue.
The distribution of the blue-black grosbeak is limited to the Central and South American. It is found in Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.
Both C.c. caerulescens and C.c. concreta are found in Mexico and Central America, while C.c. cyanoides can be found from Panama to northern South America.
They prefer habitats which are dense with tall trees and undergrowth because this provides sufficient cover. Although not generally seen, the blue-black grosbeak can be found at edges of broadleaf forests.
Blue-black grosbeaks are omnivorous; they have been known to eat seeds and fruits, as well as insects like ants and caterpillars. They crush the seeds before they consume them.
The blue-black grosbeak construct little cup nests to lay their eggs in and normally have a clutch size of 2. The breeding season of the blue-black grosbeak takes place during the spring and summer months, however the peak period of the breeding season differs slightly between populations located in different areas.
