Flame-faced tanager

Last updated

Flame-faced tanager
Flame-faced tanager (Tangara parzudakii parzudakii) Cundinamarca.jpg
T. p. parzudakii
Flame-faced Tanager (Tangara parzudakii lunigera).jpg
T. p. lunigera
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Thraupidae
Genus: Tangara
Species:
T. parzudakii
Binomial name
Tangara parzudakii
(Lafresnaye, 1843)
Tangara parzudakii map.svg
Synonyms
  • Tangara lunigera
  • Calliste lunigera

The flame-faced tanager (Tangara parzudakii) is a species of bird in the tanager family Thraupidae. It is endemic to South America and is found in the eastern Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is a distinctive-looking species with black and opalescent green upperparts, opalescent green and buff underparts, and a deep red and yellow face. The subspecies lunigera lacks the deep red on the face, which is replaced with orangish-red.

Contents

It is omnivorous and feeds on fruit and arthropods. Foraging is conducted nearly exclusively on mossy branches. Breeding occurs in the rainy season. Eggs are laid in clutches of two, and are white with pale brown flecking concentrated on the larger end. Fledglings are fed by both parents. The flame-faced tanager is listed as being of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on the IUCN Red List. However, it is facing population declines due to habitat destruction.

Taxonomy and systematics

The flame-faced tanager was first described as Tanagra parzudakii by Frédéric Lafresnaye in 1843, on the basis of specimens collected around Santa Fe, in Bogota, Colombia. [2] The generic name Tangara comes from the Tupí word tangara, which means dancer. The specific epithet parzudakii is in honor of the French collector and natural history dealer Charles Parzudaki. [3] Flame-faced tanager is the official common name designated by the International Ornithologists' Union (IOC). [4] Other names for the species include flame faced tanager. [5]

The flame-faced tanager is one of 27 species in the genus Tangara . Within the genus, it is put in a species group with the blue-whiskered tanager, green-and-gold tanager, emerald tanager, golden tanager, silver-throated tanager, saffron-crowned tanager, and golden-eared tanager. This placement has been supported by DNA evidence. However, it is not known which of the species in the group are sister to the flame-throated tanager. [6]

Subspecies

There are three subspecies of the flame-faced tanager, all of which are recognized on the basis of slight differences in plumage. [6] [4]

Description

The flame-faced tanager is a distinctive-looking medium-sized species of tanager, being on average 14–15 cm (5.5–5.9 in) in length and 28 g (0.99 oz) in mass. Both sexes of the species look similar. [6]

The body is mostly black and silvery green. The auricle, malar surface, and forecrown is deep red, while the crown and nape are yellow. The underparts are mostly opalescent green mixed with buff. The central belly is pale cinnamon buff, while the flanks and undertail coverts are darker. The lower back and rump are opalescent golden, frequently with a bluish tinge. The iris is dark brown, the bill is black, and the feet are dark gray. Immatures have a dull yellow instead of red on the head. The throat is pale buffy gray, while parts that are black in adults are dull dusky. Overall, the plumage is duller than in the adult. [6]

The nominate subspecies is unlikely to be mistaken for any other species due to the deep red facial plumage, but lunigera resembles the saffron-crowned tanager. However, it can be distinguished due to the latter's greenish breast, yellow crissum (area surrounding cloaca), and smaller size. [6]

Distribution and habitat

Flame-faced tanagers are found in the Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Peru, at elevations of 1,000–2,600 m (3,300–8,500 ft). It inhabits montane and cloud forests, and is most frequent at elevations above 1,500 m (4,900 ft). It is also found in forest edges and tall secondary growth. [6]

Behavior and ecology

The flame-faced tanager is most often found either in pairs or groups of 3–7 birds. It is also often found in mixed-species flocks, which are composed mostly of other tanager species. On average, mixed-species flocks containing the flame-faced tanager have seven other species in them. [6]

Diet

Like other tanagers in its genus, the flame-faced tanager is omnivorous, and feeds on fruit, arthropods, flower buds, and nectar. Foraging is mainly done in the canopy. Preferred types of fruit include species of Miconia and Cecropia . More than half of fruit is collected through gleaning, but can also be collected through probing or other techniques. Arthropods are collected almost entirely from fully and partially moss-covered branches, through a variety of methods such as gleaning and probing. [6]

Breeding

In Colombia, adults were observed feeding each other berries as a part of courtship in February. [8] In Ecuador, populations of the subspecies parzudakii were observed breeding January–July, during the rainy season. Nests were observed mainly in pastures, but some were also found in forests, forest edges, and on man-made structures. Nests are built entirely by the female, in locations that were concealed from all sides. The male waits beside the female while nest building is ongoing, but does not directly help her. Nests are bulky, open cups made of stiff fibers, pieces of fern, moss, and other organic material. The nest is internally lined with dead leaves from Chusquea species, dried bromeliad leaves, and pale fibers. Three nests measured in Ecuador had an average outer diameter of 12.3 cm (4.8 in), inner diameter of 6 cm (2.4 in), outer height of 9.8 cm (3.9 in), and inner height of 4.5 cm (1.8 in). [9] [10]

The clutch size is two eggs, which are incubated by the female. Males feed the female berries while she is incubating. Eggs are white, with pale brown flecking that is densest at the larger end. A sample of 5 eggs from Ecuador measured on average 20 mm × 16.7 mm (0.79 in × 0.66 in), with an average mass of 3.2 g (0.11 oz). Nests with fledglings have been observed in May. Fledglings are fed by both parents. Common food items given include arthropods such as katydids, butterflies and moths, and spiders, and mashed fruits, including berries. Nests inhabited by fledglings are also regularly probed, which helps remove parasites. Fledglings are born without feathers or hair. [6] [10]

Status

The flame-faced tanager is listed as a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on the IUCN Red List, due to its large range and relative commonness. However, its population is declining due to habitat destruction in its range. [11] The subspecies lunigera, which is recognized as a separate species by the IUCN, is also classified as least concern for the above reasons. [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turquoise tanager</span> Species of bird

The turquoise tanager is a medium-sized passerine bird in the tanager family Thraupidae. It is a resident bird from Trinidad, much of Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela south to Bolivia. It is restricted to areas with humid forest, with its primary distribution being the Amazon. It was formerly treated as being conspecific with the white-bellied tanager which is found in the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bay-headed tanager</span> Species of bird

The bay-headed tanager is a medium-sized passerine bird. This tanager is a resident breeder in Costa Rica, Panama, South America south to Ecuador, Bolivia and north-western Brazil, and on Trinidad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paradise tanager</span> Species of bird

The paradise tanager is a brilliantly multicolored, medium-sized songbird whose length varies between 13.5 and 15 cm. It has a light green head, sky blue underparts and black upper body plumage. Depending on subspecies, the behind is yellow and red or all red. The beak is black and the legs are grey. It is native to the Amazon rainforest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-throated ant tanager</span> Species of bird

The red-throated ant tanager is a medium-sized passerine bird. This species is a resident breeder on the Caribbean slopes from southeastern Mexico to eastern Panama. It was usually considered an aberrant kind of tanager and placed in the Thraupidae, but is actually closer to the cardinals (Cardinalidae). Consequently, it can be argued that referring to the members of this genus as ant tanagers is misleading, but no other common name has gained usage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silver-throated tanager</span> Species of bird from South America

The silver-throated tanager is a species of passerine bird in the tanager family Thraupidae. It is found in Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, and northeastern Peru. It inhabits mossy forests, montane evergreen forests, tropical lowland evergreen forests and forest edges, along with tall secondary forests and disturbed habitat with remnant trees and forest. It is 13 centimetres (5.1 in) long and weighs 22 grams (0.78 oz) on average, and shows slight sexual dimorphism, with duller female plumage. Adult males are mainly bright yellow, with a silvery-white throat bordered above with a black stripe on the cheeks, black streaking on the back, and green edges to the wings and tail. Juveniles are duller and greener.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-faced grassquit</span> Species of bird

The yellow-faced grassquit is a passerine bird in the tanager family Thraupidae and is the only member of the genus Tiaris. It is native to the Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beryl-spangled tanager</span> Species of bird

The beryl-spangled tanager is a small songbird of the northern Andes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fawn-breasted tanager</span> Species of bird

The fawn-breasted tanager is a species of tanager with a blue head and yellow breast. It occurs in the Andes of northwestern Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela, as well as in the highlands of northeastern Argentina, south Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gold-ringed tanager</span> Species of bird

The gold-ringed tanager is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae, endemic to Colombia. It is a plump, relatively short-tailed Tanager with a distinctive gold ring around its face. It inhabits a narrow band of high-altitude cloud forest on the slopes of the western cordillera of the Andes, where it survives on a diet of fruit and insects. The bird is found in small numbers within a limited geographical area, and much of its breeding biology has yet to be described. It is considered a vulnerable species, threatened by habitat loss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plushcap</span> Genus of birds

The plushcap is a species of bird in the tanager family Thraupidae and it is the only member of the genus Catamblyrhynchus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scarlet-and-white tanager</span> Species of bird from South America

The scarlet-and-white tanager is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae. It is found in Colombia and northern Ecuador. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and heavily degraded former forest. The male is highly distinctive and has bright scarlet upperparts, darker red wings and undertail coverts, and white underparts with a scarlet median stripe running down the throat and belly. Females are patterned like the males, but are olive-brown instead of scarlet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-ruffed fruitcrow</span> Species of bird

The red-ruffed fruitcrow is a species of bird in the monotypic genus Pyroderus. It belongs to the family Cotingidae, and is one of the largest passerines in South America. Its common names in Spanish include yacutoro,toropisco montañero,sangretoro,pájaro torero, and cuervo-frutero de garganta roja. This species was first named Coracias scutata by Shaw in 1792, but was later changed to the current scientific name. This species has five subspecies P. s. scutatus, P. s. orenocensis, P. s. granadensis, P. s. masoni, P. s. occidentalsis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden tanager</span> Species of bird

The golden tanager is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae. It is widespread and often common in highland forests of the Andes and Venezuelan Coastal Range in north-western South America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden-eared tanager</span> Species of bird

The golden-eared tanager is a species of bird in the tanager family Thraupidae. It is found in the eastern Andes of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru where its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emerald tanager</span> Species of bird from South America

The emerald tanager is a species of bird in the tanager family Thraupidae. It is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panama. Described by the English ornithologists PL Sclater and Osbert Salvin in 1869, it is a medium-sized species that has a length of 10.6–13 cm (4.2–5.1 in) and a mass of 18–20.5 g (0.63–0.72 oz). It can be identified by its bright green plumage, with black streaking on the back and wings, and a black auricular patch and beak. It also has yellow on the crown and rump. The species shows slight sexual dimorphism, with the females being duller and having yellow-green in place of yellow on the head.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black-capped tanager</span> South american bird species

The black-capped tanager is one of the many species of Neotropical bird in the family Thraupidae. It lives in mountains of Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela year-round. This bird can often be found in open landscapes, alone or in pairs, hiding under branches of trees and bushes. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and heavily degraded former forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metallic-green tanager</span> Species of bird

The metallic-green tanager is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue-and-black tanager</span> Species of bird from South America

The blue-and-black tanager is a species of bird in the tanager family Thraupidae. It is found in the Andes of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela, where it inhabits montane evergreen forest, dwarf forest, and secondary forest at elevations of 1,500–3,500 m (4,900–11,500 ft). It inhabits the highest altitude of any Tangara species, and is the only species from the genus that is found near the tree line. Adults are 13 cm (5.1 in) long and weigh 18 g (0.63 oz) on average, and are mostly blue with black masks, wings, and tails. The species shows slight sexual dimorphism, with females being slightly duller than males.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saffron-crowned tanager</span> Species of bird from South America

The saffron-crowned tanager is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae. Found in the northern Andes of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela, it inhabits cloud forest, forest edges, and secondary forest, preferring areas with mossy trees. It is an average-sized species of tanager with a blue-green body and yellow head with a black forecrown, lores, orbital area, and chin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orange-headed tanager</span> Species of bird from South America

The orange-headed tanager is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae. Native to South America, it is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela, where it inhabits successional vegetation, cerrado, riparian forest, shrub, brush, and open woodland. Males of the species have sandy-gray upperparts, cinnamon to buff underparts, white on the center of the lower breast, belly, and tail, and rufous-orange and yellow heads. Females are similar but duller.

References

  1. BirdLife International (2017). "Tangara parzudakii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017: e.T103849231A119557182. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T103849231A119557182.en . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. Société Cuvierienne; Cuvierienne, Société (1843). Revue zoologique. Paris: Société cuvierienne.
  3. Jobling, James A. (2010). Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. Christopher Helm. pp. 293–294, 379. ISBN   978-1-4081-3326-2.
  4. 1 2 "Tanagers and allies – IOC World Bird List" . Retrieved 2021-09-04.
  5. "Tangara parzudakii (Flame-faced Tanager) – Avibase". Avibase . Retrieved 2021-09-04.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 O'Malley, Rebecca; Burns, Kevin J. (2020-03-04). Schulenberg, Thomas S (ed.). "Flame-faced Tanager (Tangara parzudakii)". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.flftan1.01. S2CID   216310426.
  7. 1 2 BirdLife International (2017). "Tangara lunigera". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017: e.T103849238A119556651. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T103849238A119556651.en . Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  8. Ridgely, Robert S.; Gaulin, Steven J. C. (1980-11-01). "The Birds of Finca Merenberg, Huila Department, Colombia". The Condor. 82 (4): 379. doi:10.2307/1367559. JSTOR   1367559.
  9. Arcos-Torres, Agustina; Solano-Ugalde, Alejandro (2007-01-01). "Notas sobre la anidación de tres especies del género Tangara (Thraupidae: Aves) en el noroccidente de Ecuador". Boletin Sociedad Antioqueña de Ornitología (in Spanish). 17 (2): 133–137.
  10. 1 2 Sheldon, Kimberly; Greeney, Harold; Dobbs, Robert (2014-01-01). "Nesting biology of the Flame-faced Tanager (Tangara parzudakii) in northeastern Ecuador". Ornitologia Neotropical . 25: 397–406.
  11. BirdLife International (2016-10-01). "Tangara parzudakii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2021-09-05.