Birdsong field guide
Crimson-collared Grosbeak
Periporphyrus celaeno
The Crimson-collared Grosbeak is a chunky, secretive cardinal-relative endemic to northeastern Mexico, notable for the male's distinctive black hood and dusky crimson plumage.
What it sounds like
A clear, thin, rising whistle often transcribed as 'twee' or 'sweee', and a sharp metallic 'pink' call note.
Reference call, compare with what you heard
No reference call found yet · Xeno-canto
Field notes
- It is the sole member of its genus, Periporphyrus.
- The species exhibits strong sexual dimorphism; females are olive-yellow where the males are crimson.
- Though primarily found in Mexico, it is a rare and irregular winter visitor to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas.
- Its heavy, conical black bill is specialized for crushing tough seeds, though it also consumes fruit and insects.
- Unlike many cardinals, this species is notoriously shy and prefers to stay hidden within dense subtropical undergrowth.
Habitat
Dense humid to semi-arid evergreen forests, woodland edges, and thick scrub.
Range
Northeastern Mexico, from Nuevo León and Tamaulipas south to Veracruz; rare vagrant to southern Texas.
Similar & commonly confused birds
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