Yellow-shouldered Grassquit Loxipasser anoxanthus Scientific name definitions

Just one of several genera that are endemic to Jamaica, the Yellow-shouldered Grassquit is the sole member of Loxipasser. It shares the island with two other, even more widespread grassquits, the Black-faced Grassquit (Tiaris bicolor) and the Yellow-faced Grassquit (Tiaris olivaceus), but the present species is distinctly more arboreal than either of the latter two. Males are charcoal black over the head and neck, becoming paler over the rest of the underparts, with chestnut undertail coverts, whilst the upper back and wing coverts are bright yellow. Females are quite different, being mainly dull olive on the head, with gray underparts, and only the carpal area is bright yellow. The Yellow-shouldered Grassquit generally is found in well-forested areas in the highlands of Jamaica, but it wanders to lower elevations in the post-breeding season, and will visit well-vegetated gardens and dense scrub at any time of year.

10·2–11·5 cm; 10·5–12·5 g. Very small, with moderately short tail and large head, bill thick and with strongly rounded culmen. Male has black on head and underparts to belly, lower belly and flanks  greenish, contrasting rusty crissum; above, black extends to nape and lower neck, then strongly contrasts with grass-green mantle and back to tail; upperwing  greenish, contrasting bright yellow shoulder; iris dark; bill and legs black. Female  has head and breast grey with slight green wash; entire upperparts greenish with yellow wash, greenish wing strongly marked with yellow on shoulder; underparts below breast greyish-green, pale rusty crissum; bill horn-coloured, legs blackish. Juvenile is like female, but with reduced yellow at bend of wing.

Jamaica.

Edges of forest, including montane evergreen forest; woodlands, and gardens near wooded areas. Sea-level to 1800 m.

Sedentary.

Seeds and fruits, probably also insects. Forages low in bushes and in trees. In small groups, presumably pairs and family groups.

Song  consists of 5 descending notes  , with an almost echo-like quality.

Season Mar–Sept, egg-laying recorded Mar–Jul. Nest a finely woven dome of grass and down, with side entrance, built in tree or bush, or concealed among epiphytes. Clutch 3–4 eggs, white with reddish or dull brown speckles and spots, these sometimes concentrated at broad end. No other information.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Fairly common; reasonably widespread within its very small global range. No known threats.

Alvaro began birding as an 11 year old in Canada, and eventually trained in Evolutionary Ecology studying, creatures as varied as leaf-cutter ants and Argentine cowbirds. But his career has been focused on birding tourism, both as a guide and owner of his tour company, as well as a avitourism consultant to various organizations. He is the author of Birds of Chile, New World Blackbirds: The Icterids, as well as the ABA Field Guide to the birds of California. He lives in Half Moon Bay, California where he is known for his pelagic birding trips. Email: alvaro@alvarosadventures.com.