Slightly smaller than other species of the same genus, it has the same strong black beak that gave rise to the common name of these birds.

It has two recognized subspecies: Birds Brazil CBRO - 2015 (Piacentini et al. 2015); (Clements checklist, 2014); ITIS - (Integrated Taxonomic Information System - 2015).

Saltator similis is a typical omnivore, feeding on fruits, insects, seeds, leaves, and flowers (like those of the Ypê).

The nest, built in bushes 1 to 2 meters high, is a spacious bowl, about 12 centimeters in outer diameter, made with large dry leaves secured by some branches, resulting in a loose construction; small roots and herbs are placed inside.

The 2 or 3 eggs, elongated, measure about 29 by 18 millimeters and are light blue or blue-green, with small and large spots on the blunt pole, forming a crown.

It is distributed in the central part of Brazil and the northeast, in Bahia in the south of the country, Rio Grande do Sul and throughout the Southeast region, in addition to neighboring international borders, such as Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay.