The New Neotropical Companion

They are now placed in the family Cardinalidae.
That means that all actual tanagers in the world are
confined to the Neotropics. The family Thraupidae
now conservatively consists of 300- plus species, about
150 of which are actually called, with current accuracy,
“tanagers.” This section features them.
Most tanager species are brilliantly colored and feed
on fruit (they are mashers, chapter 10), nectar, and
insects. Tanagers are found from lowland forests to
high montane and cloud forests. They are particularly
common around forest edge habitats and are often easy
to see at fruiting figs, palms, cecropias, and other trees.
The common names of tanager species reflect

their multicolored, exotic feather patterns. One may

encounter the Crimson- collared, Saffron- crowned,

Flame- colored, Blue- and- gold, Golden- hooded, Silver-

throated, and Emerald Tanagers, a list that is far from

exhaustive. In most, but not all, of the Neotropical

tanager species, males and females are equally colorful.

Many tanagers form mixed- species flocks and

forage together, primarily in montane areas but also

in lowlands. Tanager flocks seem to prefer forest

edge. It is particularly satisfying to see groups of such

colorful species mixed together. Indeed, the high

species richness of tanagers, particularly in the genera

Thraupis and Tangara (plates 15- 46– 48), is testimony

Plate 15- 47. The Green- headed Tanager (Tangara seledon) is

but one of many remarkably colorful tanager species in its

genus. This species is often encountered in clearings and

gardens while feeding on fruiting plants. Photo by Andrew

Whittaker.

Plate 15- 49. The widely distributed Blue- gray Tanager has

adapted to towns and is very common wherever there is some

fruit to be had. This one likes bananas. Photo by Gina Nichol.

Plate 15- 48. The striking and well- named Red- necked Tanager
(Tangara cyanocephala) occurs in Brazil, Argentina, and
Paraguay. Like other species of its genus, it is highly colorful.
Photo by Andrew Whittaker.

Plate 15- 46. The well- named Silver- throated Tanager (Tangara
icterocephala) is common along forest edges in montane
areas in northwestern South America. Photo by Gina Nichol.

280 chapter 15 neotropical birds: the bustling crowd