22-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA, COSTA RICA - GRAYISH SALTATOR (Saltator coerulescens)

The cinnamon-bellied saltator or northern grey saltator (Saltator grandis) is a passerine bird in the tanager family Thraupidae. It was formerly considered conspecific with the greyish saltator (Saltator coerulescens), but was split as a distinct species by the IOC in 2021. It is found from Mexico to Panama.

In El Salvador, it is well known as dichosofui after the "elaborate" version of its call, which sounds like a drawn-out ¡dichoso fui!, Spanish for "I was happy!"

A fairly common, though sometimes shy, bird of tropical lowlands in both dry and moist areas of northern South America. Favors forest edges, second thickets, hedgerows, and tangles, especially where morning glory flowers grow, on which it feeds silently. In Mexico and Central America it can be distinguished from other Saltator species by its grayish (not golden-green) upperparts, more pronounced white eyebrow, and flat breast. Immatures are somewhat different in appearance, with a yellowish streak on both the face and upperparts. Listen for its sweet song of long whistles and babbles.