Golden Grosbeak

The Golden Grosbeak occurs widely in Ecuador, primarily in inter-Andean valleys and western lowlands, where it inhabits semi-open habitats such as dry forests, shrublands, forest edges, and degraded woodlands up to about 3,000 meters. It is locally common and conspicuous, often seen perched in pairs or small groups, delivering rich, whistled songs from exposed branches. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a broad Andean range and a stable population that benefits from its adaptability to human-altered landscapes. Natural history observations highlight its sexual dimorphism—males bright yellow with black wings, females streaked brown—and its strong, conical bill suited for seed and fruit consumption, though nesting behavior remains only lightly documented.