This species and the Slate-colored Grosbeak (Saltator grossus) are closely related allopatric taxa that were formerly placed in their own genus, Pitylus, but they are larger billed than any other species currently placed in Saltator. Principally found in the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil, the Black-throated Grosbeak also ranges into southeast Paraguay and extreme northeast Argentina, where it ranges up to 1200 m, in humid montane forest. Within its range, this grosbeak is wholly unmistakable, being entirely dark bluish slate with a blackish throat and breast in males, which is dusky in females; both sexes possess a very chunky red bill. The black-throated grosbeak (Saltator fuliginosus) is a species of songbird. Traditionally placed in the cardinal family (Cardinalidae), it actually seems to be closer to the tanagers (Thraupidae). It is not globally threatened and is concerned least concern by IUCN.