Tanager
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 Scarlet Tanager
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There are 240 species of Tanagers in the bird family Thraupidae. Thraupidae belongs to the order Passeriformes.
Euphonias and chlorophonias were once considered part of the tanager family, but they are now treated as members of Fringillidae, in their own subfamily (Euphoniinae).
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[edit] Size and appearance
Tanagers are small to medium-sized birds. The smallest, the Short-billed Honeycreeper, is 9 cm long and weighs 9 grams. The longest, the Magpie Tanager is 26 cm. The heaviest is the White-capped Tanager which weighs 114 grams. Both sexes are usually the same size and weight. Tanagers are often brightly colored, but some species are black and white. Birds in their first year are often duller or a different color altogether. Males are typically more brightly coloured than females.
Most tanagers have short, rounded wings. The shape of the bill seems to be linked to the species' foraging habits.
[edit] Range
Tanagers are restricted to the New World tropics. About 60% of tanagers live in South America, and 30% of these species live in the Andes. Most species are endemic to a relatively small area. 18 species live in North America and Central America year round. 4 species are migratory, breeding in North America. They are the Scarlet Tanager, Western Tanager, Hepatic Tanager and the Summer Tanager.Recent molecular evidence indicates these 4 migratory species may be more closely related to the family Emberizidae.
[edit] Social behavior
Most tanagers live in pairs or in small groups of 3-5 individuals. These groups may consist simply of parents and their offspring. Birds may also be seen in single species or mixed flocks. Tanagers are thought to have dull songs. Some are very elaborate.
[edit] Diet
Tanagers are omnivorous, but the diet of tanagers varies from genus to genus. They have been seen eating fruits, seeds, nectar, flower parts and insects. Their foraging technique depends much on what they look for. Many pick insects off branches. Other species look for insects on the underside of leaves. Yet others wait on branches until they see a flying insect and catch it in the air. Many of these particular species inhabit the same areas, but these specializations aleviate competition.
[edit] Breeding and reproduction
The breeding season begin in March through until June in temperate areas and in September through October in South America. Some species are territorial while others build their nests closer together. There is little information on tanager breeding behavior so it is difficult say if they are monogamous or polygamous. Males show off their brightest feathers to potential mates and rival males. Some species' courtship rituals involve bowing and tail lifting.
Most tanagers build cup nests on branches in trees. Some nests are almost globular. Entrances are usually built on the side of the nest. The nests can be shallow or deep. The species of the tree they choose to build their nest in and the nest's position varies among genera. Most species nest in an area hidden by very dense vegetation. There is still no information on the nests of some species.
The clutch size is 3-5 eggs. The female incubates the eggs and builds the nest, but the male may feed the female while she incubates. Both sexes feed the young. Five species have helpers assist in feeding the young. These helpers are thought to be the previous year's nestlings.
[edit] Species list
Family: Thraupidae
- Genus Conirostrum, the conebills
- Chestnut-vented Conebill, Conirostrum speciosum
- White-eared Conebill, Conirostrum leucogenys
- Bicolored Conebill, Conirostrum bicolor
- Pearly-breasted Conebill, Conirostrum margaritae
- Cinereous Conebill, Conirostrum cinereum
- Tamarugo Conebill, Conirostrum tamarugense
- White-browed Conebill, Conirostrum ferrugineiventre
- Rufous-browed Conebill, Conirostrum rufum
- Blue-backed Conebill, Conirostrum sitticolor
- Capped Conebill, Conirostrum albifrons
- Genus Oreomanes
- Giant Conebill, Oreomanes fraseri
- Genus Orchesticus
- Brown Tanager, Orchesticus abeillei
- Genus Schistochlamys
- Cinnamon Tanager, Schistochlamys ruficapillus
- Black-faced Tanager, Schistochlamys melanopis
- Genus Neothraupis
- White-banded Tanager, Neothraupis fasciata
- Genus Cypsnagra
- White-rumped Tanager, Cypsnagra hirundinacea
- Genus Conothraupis
- Black-and-white Tanager, Conothraupis speculigera
- Cone-billed Tanager, Conothraupis mesoleuca
- Genus Cissopis
- Magpie Tanager, Cissopis leveriana
- Genus Lamprospiza
- Red-billed Pied Tanager, Lamprospiza melanoleuca
- Genus Chlorornis
- Grass-green Tanager, Chlorornis riefferii
- Genus Compsothraupis
- Scarlet-throated Tanager, Compsothraupis loricata
- Genus Sericossypha
- White-capped Sericossypha Tanager, Sericossypha albocristata
- Genus Nesospingus
- Puerto Rican Tanager, Nesospingus speculiferus
- Genus Chlorospingus, the bush tanagers
- Common Bush Tanager, Chlorospingus ophthalmicus
- Tacarcuna Bush Tanager, Chlorospingus tacarcunae
- Pirre Bush Tanager, Chlorospingus inornatus
- Dusky Bush Tanager, Chlorospingus semifuscus
- Sooty-capped Bush Tanager, Chlorospingus pileatus
- Short-billed Bush Tanager, Chlorospingus parvirostris
- Yellow-throated Bush Tanager, Chlorospingus flavigularis
- Yellow-green Bush Tanager, Chlorospingus flavovirens
- Ashy-throated Bush Tanager, Chlorospingus canigularis
- Genus Cnemoscopus
- Gray-hooded Bush Tanager, Cnemoscopus rubrirostris
- Genus Hemispingus, the hemispinguses
- Black-capped Hemispingus, Hemispingus atropileus
- Orange-browed Hemispingus, Hemispingus calophrys
- Parodi's Hemispingus, Hemispingus parodii
- Superciliaried Hemispingus, Hemispingus superciliaris
- Gray-capped Hemispingus, Hemispingus reyi
- Oleaginous Hemispingus, Hemispingus frontalis
- Black-eared Hemispingus, Hemispingus melanotis
- Slaty-backed Hemispingus, Hemispingus goeringi
- Rufous-browed Hemispingus, Hemispingus rufosuperciliaris
- Black-headed Hemispingus, Hemispingus verticalis
- Drab Hemispingus, Hemispingus xanthophthalmus
- Three-striped Hemispingus, Hemispingus trifasciatus
- Genus Pyrrhocoma
- Chestnut-headed Tanager, Pyrrhocoma ruficeps
- Genus Thlypopsis
- Fulvous-headed Tanager, Thlypopsis fulviceps
- Rufous-chested Tanager, Thlypopsis ornata
- Brown-flanked Tanager, Thlypopsis pectoralis
- Orange-headed Tanager, Thlypopsis sordida
- Buff-bellied Tanager, Thlypopsis inornata
- Rust-and-yellow Tanager, Thlypopsis ruficeps
- Genus Hemithraupis
- Guira Tanager, Hemithraupis guira
- Rufous-headed Tanager, Hemithraupis ruficapilla
- Yellow-backed Tanager, Hemithraupis flavicollis
- Genus Chrysothlypis
- Black-and-yellow Tanager, Chrysothlypis chrysomelaena
- Scarlet-and-white Tanager, Chrysothlypis salmoni
- Genus Nemosia
- Hooded Tanager, Nemosia pileata
- Cherry-throated Tanager, Nemosia rourei
- Genus Phaenicophilus
- Black-crowned Palm Tanager, Phaenicophilus palmarum
- Gray-crowned Palm Tanager, Phaenicophilus poliocephalus
- Genus Calyptophilus, the chat-tanagers
- Western Chat-tanager, Calyptophilus tertius
- Eastern Chat-tanager, Calyptophilus frugivorus
- Genus Rhodinocichla
- Rosy Thrush-tanager, Rhodinocichla rosea
- Genus Mitrospingus
- Dusky-faced Tanager, Mitrospingus cassinii
- Olive-backed Tanager, Mitrospingus oleagineus
- Genus Chlorothraupis
- Olive Tanager, Chlorothraupis carmioli
- Lemon-spectacled Tanager, Chlorothraupis olivacea
- Ochre-breasted Tanager, Chlorothraupis stolzmanni
- Genus Orthogonys
- Olive-green Tanager, Orthogonys chloricterus
- Genus Eucometis
- Gray-headed Tanager, Eucometis penicillata
- Genus Lanio, the shrike-tanagers
- Fulvous Shrike-tanager, Lanio fulvus
- White-winged Shrike-tanager, Lanio versicolor
- Black-throated Shrike-tanager, Lanio aurantius
- White-throated Shrike-tanager, Lanio leucothorax
- Genus Creurgops
- Rufous-crested Tanager, Creurgops verticalis
- Slaty Tanager, Creurgops dentata
- Genus Heterospingus
- Sulphur-rumped Tanager, Heterospingus rubrifrons
- Scarlet-browed Tanager, Heterospingus xanthopygius
- Genus Tachyphonus
- Flame-crested Tanager, Tachyphonus cristatus
- Yellow-crested Tanager, Tachyphonus rufiventer
- Fulvous-crested Tanager, Tachyphonus surinamus
- White-shouldered Tanager, Tachyphonus luctuosus
- Tawny-crested Tanager, Tachyphonus delatrii
- Ruby-crowned Tanager, Tachyphonus coronatus
- White-lined Tanager, Tachyphonus rufus
- Red-shouldered Tanager, Tachyphonus phoenicius
- Genus Trichothraupis
- Black-goggled Tanager, Trichothraupis melanops
- Genus Habia, the ant tanagers
- Red-crowned Ant-Tanager, Habia rubica
- Red-throated Ant-Tanager, Habia fuscicauda
- Sooty Ant-Tanager, Habia gutturalis
- Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager, Habia atrimaxillaris
- Crested Ant-Tanager, Habia cristata
- Genus Piranga
- Rose-throated Tanager, Piranga roseogularis
- Hepatic Tanager, Piranga flava
- Scarlet Tanager, Piranga olivacea
- Summer Tanager, Piranga rubra
- Western Tanager, Piranga ludoviciana
- Flame-colored Tanager, Piranga bidentata
- White-winged Tanager, Piranga leucoptera
- Red-headed Tanager, Piranga erythrocephala
- Red-hooded Tanager, Piranga rubriceps
- Genus Calochaetes
- Vermilion Tanager, Calochaetes coccineus
- Genus Ramphocelus
- Crimson-collared Tanager, Ramphocelus sanguinolentus
- Masked Crimson Tanager, Ramphocelus nigrogularis
- Crimson-backed Tanager, Ramphocelus dimidiatus
- Huallaga Tanager, Ramphocelus melanogaster
- Silver-beaked Tanager, Ramphocelus carbo
- Brazilian Tanager, Ramphocelus bresilius
- Passerini's Tanager, Ramphocelus passerinii
- Cherrie's Tanager, Ramphocelus costaricensis
- Flame-rumped Tanager, Ramphocelus flammigerus
- Genus Spindalis, the spindalises
- Western Spindalis, Spindalis zena
- Puerto Rican Spindalis, Spindalis portoricensis
- Hispaniolan Spindalis, Spindalis dominicensis
- Jamaican Spindalis, Spindalis nigricephala
- Genus Thraupis
- Blue-gray Tanager, Thraupis episcopus
- Glaucous Tanager, Thraupis glaucocolpa
- Sayaca Tanager, Thraupis sayaca
- Azure-shouldered Tanager, Thraupis cyanoptera
- Golden-chevroned Tanager, Thraupis ornata
- Blue-capped Tanager, Thraupis cyanocephala
- Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Thraupis bonariensis
- Yellow-winged Tanager, Thraupis abbas
- Palm Tanager, Thraupis palmarum
- Genus Cyanicterus
- Blue-backed Tanager, Cyanicterus cyanicterus
- Genus Bangsia
- Blue-and-gold Tanager, Bangsia arcaei
- Black-and-gold Tanager, Bangsia melanochlamys
- Golden-chested Tanager, Bangsia rothschildi
- Moss-backed Tanager, Bangsia edwardsi
- Gold-ringed Tanager, Bangsia aureocincta
- Genus Buthraupis
- Hooded Mountain Tanager, Buthraupis montana
- Black-chested Mountain Tanager, Buthraupis eximia
- Golden-backed Mountain Tanager, Buthraupis aureodorsalis
- Masked Mountain Tanager, Buthraupis wetmorei
- Genus Wetmorethraupis
- Orange-throated Tanager, Wetmorethraupis sterrhopteron
- Genus Anisognathus
- Santa Marta Mountain Tanager, Anisognathus melanogenys
- Lacrimose Mountain Tanager, Anisognathus lacrymosus
- Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Anisognathus igniventris
- Blue-winged Mountain Tanager, Anisognathus somptuosus
- Black-chinned Mountain Tanager, Anisognathus notabilis
- Genus Stephanophorus
- Diademed Tanager, Stephanophorus diadematus
- Genus Iridosornis
- Purplish-mantled Tanager, Iridosornis porphyrocephala
- Yellow-throated Tanager, Iridosornis analis
- Golden-collared Tanager, Iridosornis jelskii
- Golden-crowned Tanager, Iridosornis rufivertex
- Yellow-scarfed Tanager, Iridosornis reinhardti
- Genus Thraupis Dubusia
- Buff-breasted Mountain Tanager, Dubusia taeniata
- Genus Delothraupis
- Chestnut-bellied Mountain Tanager, Delothraupis castaneoventris
- Genus Pipraeidea
- Fawn-breasted Tanager, Pipraeidea melanonota
- Genus Chlorochrysa
- Glistening-green Tanager, Chlorochrysa phoenicotis
- Orange-eared Tanager, Chlorochrysa calliparaea
- Multicolored Tanager, Chlorochrysa nitidissima
- Genus Tangara
- Plain-colored Tanager, Tangara inornata
- Turquoise Tanager, Tangara mexicana
- Azure-rumped Tanager, Tangara cabanisi
- Gray-and-gold Tanager, Tangara palmeri
- Paradise Tanager, Tangara chilensis
- Seven-colored Tanager, Tangara fastuosa
- Green-headed Tanager, Tangara seledon
- Red-necked Tanager, Tangara cyanocephala
- Brassy-breasted Tanager, Tangara desmaresti
- Gilt-edged Tanager, Tangara cyanoventris
- Blue-whiskered Tanager, Tangara johannae
- Green-and-gold Tanager, Tangara schrankii
- Emerald Tanager, Tangara florida
- Golden Tanager, Tangara arthus
- Silver-throated Tanager, Tangara icterocephala
- Golden-eared Tanager, Tangara chrysotis
- Saffron-crowned Tanager, Tangara xanthocephala
- Flame-faced Tanager, Tangara parzudakii
- Yellow-bellied Tanager, Tangara xanthogastra
- Spotted Tanager, Tangara punctata
- Speckled Tanager, Tangara guttata
- Dotted Tanager, Tangara varia
- Rufous-throated Tanager, Tangara rufigula
- Bay-headed Tanager, Tangara gyrola
- Rufous-winged Tanager, Tangara lavinia
- Burnished-buff Tanager, Tangara cayana
- Black-backed Tanager, Tangara peruviana
- Lesser Antillean Tanager, Tangara cucullata
- Chestnut-backed Tanager, Tangara preciosa
- Scrub Tanager, Tangara vitriolina
- Green-capped Tanager, Tangara meyerdeschauenseei
- Rufous-cheeked Tanager, Tangara rufigenis
- Golden-naped Tanager, Tangara ruficervix
- Metallic-green Tanager, Tangara labradorides
- Blue-browed Tanager, Tangara cyanotis
- Blue-necked Tanager, Tangara cyanicollis
- Golden-hooded Tanager, Tangara larvata
- Masked Tanager, Tangara nigrocincta
- Spangle-cheeked Tanager, Tangara dowii
- Green-naped Tanager, Tangara fucosa
- Beryl-spangled Tanager, Tangara nigroviridis
- Blue-and-black Tanager, Tangara vassorii
- Black-capped Tanager, Tangara heinei
- Sira Tanager, Tangara phillipsi
- Silver-backed Tanager, Tangara viridicollis
- Straw-backed Tanager, Tangara argyrofenges
- Black-headed Tanager, Tangara cyanoptera
- Opal-rumped Tanager, Tangara velia
- Opal-crowned Tanager, Tangara callophrys
- Genus Iridophanes
- Golden-collared Honeycreeper, Iridophanes pulcherrima
- Genus Pseudodacnis
- Turquoise Dacnis-Tanager, Pseudodacnis hartlaubi
- Genus Dacnis, the dacnises
- White-bellied Dacnis, Dacnis albiventris
- Black-faced Dacnis, Dacnis lineata
- Yellow-bellied Dacnis, Dacnis flaviventer
- Black-legged Dacnis, Dacnis nigripes
- Scarlet-thighed Dacnis, Dacnis venusta
- Blue Dacnis, Dacnis cayana
- Viridian Dacnis, Dacnis viguieri
- Scarlet-breasted Dacnis, Dacnis berlepschi
- Genus Chlorophanes
- Green Honeycreeper, Chlorophanes spiza
- Genus Cyanerpes, the honeycreepers
- Short-billed Honeycreeper, Cyanerpes nitidus
- Shining Honeycreeper, Cyanerpes lucidus
- Purple Honeycreeper, Cyanerpes caeruleus
- Red-legged Honeycreeper, Cyanerpes cyaneus
- Genus Xenodacnis
- Tit-like Dacnis, Xenodacnis parina
- Genus Tersina
- Swallow Tanager, Tersina viridis
- Genus Catamblyrhynchus
- Plush-capped Finch, Catamblyrhynchus diadema
- Genus Oreothraupis
- Tanager Finch, Oreothraupis arremonops
- Genus Urothraupis
- Black-backed Bush Tanager, Urothraupis stolzmanni
- Genus Nephelornis
- Pardusco Nephelornis oneilli
[edit] References
- Isler M. Isler P. The Tanagers a Natural History, Distribution, and Identification. Washington D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press: 1987. 404 p.
- Bent, A. Life Histories of Blackbirds, Orioles, Tanagers, and Allies. New York:Dover Publications:1965. 549 p.
- Naoki, K. 2003. Evolution of Ecological Diversity in the Neotropical Tanagers of the Genus Tangara (Aves: Thraupidae). Dissertation available online, given to Louisiana State University.
- Greeney, H. 2005. Nest and eggs of the Yellow-whiskered Bush Tanager in Eastern Ecuador. Ornitologia Neotropical 16: 437- 438.
- Infonatura. 2005 June. Birds, mammals, and amphibians of Latin America Accessed 2006 March 4.
- Montereybay. 2000 July. 6-11. Tanagers: Thraupidae Accessed 2006 March 4.
[edit] External links
- Jungle-walk.com Tanager pictures
- Tanager videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Thraupidae at the Open Directory Project
