An unusual record of an Andean passerine, the Black-backed Grosbeak, in southeastern Brazil

Abstract

The Black-backed Grosbeak (Pheucticus aureoventris) is common on eastern Andean slopes from Venezuela to Argentina. In Brazil, it is a regular non-breeding visitor in the west, using large rivers of the Paraná basin as movement routes, especially during the austral winter, when most records in the country are concentrated. We present a novel observation of the species from the mid-central region of São Paulo state, southeastern Brazil, approximately 400 km east of its known range. Considering the uncertain migratory routes of the Black-backed Grosbeak to Brazil, we gathered additional rare sightings from the country that, when combined with our own, suggest the species’ propensity for extensive dispersal.