The beryl-spangled tanager is a small songbird of the northern Andes.
Region
Northern Andes
Typical Environment
Inhabits humid montane forests, especially cloud forests with abundant epiphytes and mossy branches. Most common at forest edges, clearings with tall trees, and along ridges where fruiting trees are frequent. Often moves through mid-story to canopy strata, occasionally descending to lower levels at edges. Readily joins mixed-species flocks and may venture into second-growth and semi-disturbed habitats. Local elevational movements may occur following fruit availability.
Altitude Range
1200–2800 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The beryl-spangled tanager is a small Andean songbird whose dark plumage is intricately speckled with shimmering bluish-green spots, giving it a scaly or 'spangled' look. It frequently joins mixed-species flocks in the forest canopy, where it forages actively for fruit and arthropods. Sexes are similar, and its subtle, high-pitched song can be overlooked amid dense cloud forest sounds.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Commonly travels in pairs or small groups and regularly integrates into mixed-species canopy flocks. Breeding pairs are likely monogamous, building a small cup nest concealed in dense foliage. Both adults typically participate in provisioning the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A soft, high-pitched series of thin chips and delicate trills, often delivered from mid-canopy perches. The song is modest and can be masked by louder Andean forest birds; calls include fine, sibilant seep notes.
Plumage
Dark base color heavily spangled with bright bluish-green spots and scalloping, creating a scaled appearance; subtle pale blue edging on wing coverts and rump.
Diet
Feeds on small fruits and berries (including melastomes) and supplements its diet with insects and other small arthropods. Forages by gleaning from leaves and twigs and by hover-gleaning near fruit clusters. May sally short distances to snatch flying insects and will follow fruiting phenology across territories.
Preferred Environment
Primarily forages in the mid-story to canopy of humid montane forest and along forest edges. Often utilizes fruiting trees in clearings and along ridgelines and roadsides.
