Hooded Grosbeak Coccothraustes abeillei

Hooded Grosbeak, formerly also called Abeille’s Grosbeak, is distributed in the montane evergreen forests of Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador. Its range encompasses elevations from 900 to 3200 meters. In the northern part of its range, Hooded Grosbeaks may be mistaken for the closely related Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus); it also is similar to Hawfinch (C. coccothraustes) of Eurasia. All three of these species have large bills, some black on the head, large white wing patches, and short tails. Male Hooded Grosbeaks exhibit a characteristic black head, which lends the species its common name.

The reliance of Hooded Grosbeak on montane forest makes this species increasingly susceptible to habitat fragmentation in the face of climate change. The conservation status of this species is considered to be of Least Concern according to the IUCN; however, little is known about its life history traits. An understanding of the life history of Hooded Grosbeak will allow scientists to provide a clear evaluation of the status of this species.