Magpie Tanager

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

iMagpie Tanager
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Thraupidae
Genus: Cissopis
Vieillot, 1816
Species: C. leveriana
Binomial name
Cissopis leveriana
(J.F.Gmelin, 1788)

The Magpie Tanager (Cissopis leveriana) is a tanager. It is the only member of the genus Cissopis.

Length 26-29 cm. Weight 69-76 g. lives in the Andes in Venezuela, and in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Also in Brazil Argentina, and Bolivia. Elevation 1200-2000 m. Seen in river floodplains and forest edges among grass and shrubs. Also occurs in plantations near human settlements. Occurs in groups of 3-10 individuals. Very loud. Seem to jump far from branch to branch. Moves tail up and down, seems to enjoy displaying tail feathers when takes flight. Eats seed and fruits and insects. Cup nest lined with grass, leaves or other plant materials. Located near ground on short trees or in shrubs in dense vegetation. Clutch size 2 eggs red/brown with brown spots. Captive bird incubated egg for 12-13 days.

The binomial commemorates the English collector Sir Ashton Lever.