Glaucous-blue grosbeak

The glaucous-blue grosbeak is monotypic.

For much of its history, the glaucous-blue grosbeak was the only member of genus Cyanoloxia. Following a 2004 publication, the blue-black grosbeak (now Cyanoloxia cyanoides) and ultramarine grosbeak (now Cyanoloxia brissonii) were moved from genus Cyanocompsa. What is now Amazonian grosbeak (Cyanoloxia cyanoides) was later split from blue-black grosbeak.[2][3]

The glaucous-blue grosbeak is approximately 14 cm (5.5 in) long. Three birds weighed from 16 to 19.5 g (0.56 to 0.69 oz). The male is generally dark sky blue that is lighter on the forehead and rump and is grayish on the lower belly. It has a small black "mask". The female is brown overall, warm and dark above and orange-tinged below. The immature is orange-brown that is darker on the back, and it has a hint of blue on the forehead and cheek.[4]

The glaucous-blue grosbeak nests in northeastern Argentina, southeastern Brazil, and much of Uruguay. During the austral winter, some move into southeastern Paraguay and further north in Brazil. It inhabits low, somewhat dense, vegetation such as along forest edges, on river islands, in marshes, and in secondary forest. In elevation it ranges from near sea level to 1,700 m (5,600 ft) in Brazil.[4][2]

The IUCN has assessed the glaucous-blue grosbeak as being of Least Concern.[1] However, it is "[g]enerally rather rare to uncommon over much of [its] range" and is poorly known.[4]