Breeding

Singing and copulation was observed in El Salvador in May (Thurber et al. 1987). Elsewhere breeding occurs in June and July and has been observed in oak-sweet gum forests and along the edge of cypress plantations. Howell and Webb (1995) report that the nest is at "mid- to upper levels in trees", citing unpublished observations by R.G. Wilson. Otherwise the only information comes from a single nest observed multiple times (Komar 2002a). The female constructs the nest while the male is present. The male accompanies the female constantly but does not assist in nest building. Nests are composed at least partially of small twigs and are similar in size to that of Clay-colored Thrush (Turdus grayi). The female selected the lowest branch, ca 7 m above the ground in a 35 m tall cypress. A site with dense foliage was selected to camouflage the nest, which rests on the outer end of the branch. Vocalizations are not used during nest building (Komar 2002). Data on clutch size, egg color, and incubation have not been recorded. Clutch sizes of related species such as Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) and Hawfinch (C. coccothraustes) are 3.0 and 4.4 respectively (Martin et al. 1954, Bókony and Liker 2005). Males participate in feeding the hatchlings (Komar 2002a).