Several, apparently disjunct populations: in Colombia on both slopes of central Andes in Caldas, Risaralda, Quindío and Tolima, in Valle de Cauca, Parques Regionales Ucumán and La Vereda Canoas and Reserve Patasola; in Ecuador at scattered locations in western Napo, western Morona-Santiago, Zamora-Chinchipe and southern Loja; and in Peru in eastern Piura, Cajamarca, San Martín and Huánuco.
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010) and decreasing.
Status NT
Habitat destruction and degradation through conversion to agriculture and cattle pasture, mining and logging, is the main threat.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Masked Saltator (Saltator cinctus) [XC214949]
by Paul Coopmans from AICA La Patasola, Vereda Boqu\u00eda, Salento, Quindio, Colombia (flight call)
Masked Saltator (Saltator cinctus) [XC45460]
by Bernabe Lopez-Lanus from Finca La Carbonera (canon del rio Toche), Tolima, Colombia (call)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Affiliations of genus uncertain. Recent molecular-genetic analyses indicate that it does not belong with present family, and may be better placed with tanagers (Thraupidae). Colombian populations seem to exhibit constant differences in plumage and bill colour from those in rest of range, and may represent a separate taxon. Further study is required.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet