tanagers
NEOTROPICAL Tropical & Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forest

Tanagers are one of the most colourful and diverse group of birds in the Neotropical jungle. Okay, I admit, they are my favourite group of birds in the region! 

Family Thraupidae: Tanagers

Tangara mexicana, 'Torquoise Tanager'.

Tangara parzudakii, 'Flame-faced Tanager'.

Tangara chilensis, 'Paradise Tanager'. Stunning bird. Usually found in canopy, in lowland rainforest around Amazon region. Despite the scientific name, they are not found in Chile.

Thraupis palmarum, 'Palm Tanager'.

Thraupis cyanocephala 'Blue-capped Tanager'. Found in the mountain forests and woodlands.

Thraupis episcopus, 'Blue-grey Tanager'.

Ramphocelus carbo, 'Silver-beaked Tanager'.

Ramphocelus bresilius, 'Brazilian Tanager'. Bright stunning red in contrast when in dark green habitat. Found in the Atlantic rainforest and other habitats of north-eastern Brazil.

Iridosornis jelskii, 'Golden-collared Tanager'. Found in the mountain forest.

Buthraupis montana, 'Hooded Mountain Tanager', Found in the mountain forest.

Anisognathus igniventris, 'Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager' Found in the mountain forest.

Paroaria capitata, 'Yellow-billed Cardinal Tanager'. Is actually a Tanager and not a true Cardinal.

Tersina viridis, 'Swallow Tanager'. Only one species in this genus. A very widespread Neotropical species. Sexually dimorphic; the male is light blue and white, the female greenish with barring.

Chlorornis riefferii, 'Grass-green Tanager'.

Loriotus cristatus, 'Flame-crested Tanager'. Found in various habitats across South America, with two main disjunct populations, one centred on Amazon, the other on the Atlantic forest.

Cissopis leverianus, 'Magpie Tanager'. Like no other Tanager: distinct black and white, with bright yellow eye. Long tail makes it the longest of the tanagers. Mostly found in more open habitats, when around rainforest it is usually seen along river edges.Found across much of tropical South America.

Diglossa spp. 'Flowerpiercers'

As the names suggests, these members of the Tanager family are specialised to cut into flower tubes to feed on nectar. Most species have noticeably sharp scissor points at the end of their bills for this feeding habit. Most species live in the highland rainforest of South America.

Diglossa cyanea, 'Masked Flowerpiercer'.

For the page on the tropical American rainforest