The black-and-white tanager is a tanager found in the Tumbes region of southwestern Ecuador and northwestern Peru; it migrates eastwards as far as Acre. The only other member of its genus is the recently rediscovered cone-billed tanager.
Region
Western South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from the Tumbes region of southwestern Ecuador and northwestern Peru in dry to semi-humid lowlands and foothills. After breeding, it disperses and migrates eastward across northern Peru into western Brazil (Acre) and occasionally adjacent areas. It favors scrubby second growth, dry forest edges, riverine thickets, and semi-open country with scattered trees. During nonbreeding it can appear in more humid lowland habitats and along forest margins.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A striking member of the tanager family, the male shows bold black-and-white contrast with a large white wing patch that flashes during display flights. It breeds in the Tumbes region of southwestern Ecuador and northwestern Peru and undertakes seasonal movements eastward, reaching western Amazonia as far as Acre in Brazil. Its only congener is the elusive cone-billed tanager, rediscovered after decades without confirmed records.
Illustration of black-and-white tanager by Joseph Smit, 1880
Temperament
active and somewhat conspicuous
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick, direct dashes between shrubs
Social Behavior
Often seen in pairs or small groups; outside the breeding season it may join loose mixed flocks in edge habitats. The male sings from exposed perches during breeding and performs display flights that show the white wing patch. Nesting is presumed to be a small cup placed low in dense shrubs or second growth.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Song is a series of clear, ringing whistles and short trills with a slightly metallic quality. Calls include sharp chips and thin tseet notes given in contact or alarm.
Plumage
Male is sharply patterned black-and-white with a prominent white wing patch and clean white underparts; female is dull olive-brown with faint streaking below and buffy wingbars.
Diet
Takes a mix of small fruits and seeds along with arthropods gleaned from foliage and twigs. It forages methodically in low to mid-level vegetation and occasionally sallies for flying insects. Diet composition may shift seasonally, with more insect prey during breeding.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along scrubby edges, second growth, and dry forest margins, often near openings or along streamside thickets. It also uses semi-open agricultural mosaics with scattered bushes.
