Birds Guide

Tanagers
Scarlet Tanager
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia   Phylum: Chordata   Class: Aves   Order: Passeriformes   Family: Thraupidae
Genera
many: see text

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).

Contents 1 Size and appearance 2 Range 3 Social behavior 4 Diet 5 Breeding and reproduction 6 Species list 7 References 8 External links

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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-tanager
  • 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

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.

External links

• Jungle-walk.com Tanager pictures
• Tanager videos on the Internet Bird Collection
• Thraupidae at the Open Directory Project