About the Crimson-Collared Grosbeak
The crimson-collared grosbeak (Periporphyrus celaeno) is a species of bird in the family Cardinalidae, the cardinals, grosbeaks, and “tanager” allies. It is endemic to Mexico but has occurred several times as a vagrant in southern Texas in the U. S.
The crimson-collared grosbeak was formally described in 1830 with the binomial Tanagra Celaeno [sic]. Its further taxonomy is unsettled. The crimson-collared grosbeak was long placed as the only species in genus Rhodothraupis. By 2026 most taxonomic systems had placed it in genus Periporphyrus with the red-and-black grosbeak (P. erythromelas). However, BirdLife International's Handbook of the Birds of the World (HBW) places it in genus Caryothraustes.
The crimson-collared grosbeak is monotypic. The crimson-collared grosbeak is 21 to 22 cm (8.3 to 8.7 in) long; one female weighed 60 g (2.1 oz). The species is sexually dimorphic. Adult males have a black head, throat, and upper breast. Their nape is dark crimson, their mantle deep crimson, and their back and rump black with crimson feather edges. Their wings are blackish with very thin dark crimson edges on the coverts. Their tail is black.... Wikipedia →