The black-capped tanager is one of the many species of Neotropical bird in the family Thraupidae. It lives in the 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.
Region
Northern Andes
Typical Environment
Occurs from western Venezuela through the Andean ranges of Colombia into northern Ecuador. It favors humid montane and cloud forests, especially edges, clearings, and secondary growth. The species readily uses human-modified landscapes with fruiting trees and shrubs, including gardens and shade coffee. It is most often encountered singly, in pairs, or within mixed foraging flocks along forest margins.
Altitude Range
1200–3200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This colorful tanager is often seen at forest edges and gardens in the Northern Andes, where it frequently joins mixed-species flocks. Males show a striking black cap that gives the species its name; females are greener and duller. It is sometimes placed in the genus Stilpnia based on recent taxonomic work. The species is generally common within suitable habitat and remains year-round throughout its range.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Often forages in pairs or small groups and commonly joins mixed-species flocks in the canopy and edge. During breeding, pairs become more focused on a territory with access to fruiting shrubs. The nest is typically a small cup placed in dense foliage.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are soft, high-pitched chips and thin twitters, often delivered while foraging. Song is a light, sibilant series of short notes and trills, not especially loud and easy to overlook in noisy flocks.
Plumage
Male has a glossy blue‑green body with a contrasting black cap and darker wings edged bluish; underparts often show a paler bluish wash. Female is duller, more olive-green with a less distinct dusky cap and weaker contrast. Both sexes lack strong wing bars and show a neat, compact silhouette.
Diet
Primarily eats small fruits and berries from shrubs and canopy trees. Supplements its diet with insects and other arthropods gleaned from leaves and twigs. Will occasionally take nectar or sip from overripe fruit. Foraging is active and methodical, often in the company of other tanagers and insectivores.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along forest edges, in secondary growth, and within mid-story to canopy layers. Frequently visits fruiting trees in gardens, clearings, and along roadsides. Uses dense foliage for cover while moving between fruit sources.
