Pássaro Preto

Bird uniformly black, but without sparkling tones, and with a slightly curved beak. It is found on the edges of forests, savannas, agricultural areas, where it usually forages on the ground and in small groups. It has a rich vocal repertoire, including many imitations. The most common call is a soft, musical whistle "cho-pee."

It measures between 21.5 and 25.5 centimeters in length and weighs between 69.7 and 90.3 grams. It is an entire black, including legs, beak, eyes and feathers, which gives rise to its popular name. Puppies and juveniles do not have feathers around their eyes. It is one of the most melodious voice birds in this country. The female also sings.

It reaches sexual maturity at 18 months. It nests in hollow trees, palm trunks, woodpecker nests, on posts, inside the tufts of coconut trees and in the dense canopy of pine trees, also using abandoned joão-de-barro nests. It also occupies holes in gullies and terrestrial termite mounds. Sometimes it makes an open nest, situated in the fork of a branch far from the trunk, in a tall, dense tree. Each litter usually has between 3 and 4 eggs, having 2 to 3 litters per season. The chicks are born after 14 days and stay in the nest for 18 days. The male helps to raise offspring.