The black-hooded tanager is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae. It is found in southern Venezuela, Guyana and northern Brazil. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland, and heavily degraded former forest. The black-hooded tanager was formerly considered as a subspecies of the black-headed tanager.
Region
Guiana Shield
Typical Environment
Occurs patchily across the tepui highlands of southern Venezuela, adjacent Guyana, and northern Brazil. It inhabits humid montane forest, forest edges, elfin woodland, and high-altitude shrublands on tepui slopes and summits. Birds also use secondary growth and clearings near forest, especially where fruiting shrubs are abundant. Local presence can be strongly tied to fruiting cycles and suitable canopy structure.
Altitude Range
900–2200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A highland tanager of the Guiana Shield, the black-hooded tanager favors tepui slopes and summit shrublands. Males show a striking jet-black hood contrasting with vivid blue-green body plumage, while females are duller and less contrasting. It forages actively in mixed-species flocks along forest edges and canopy. Formerly treated as a subspecies of the black-headed tanager, it is now recognized as a distinct species.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often joins mixed-species flocks in the canopy and at forest edges, moving quickly between fruiting trees and shrubs. Breeds in pairs; the nest is a small cup placed in dense foliage or shrubs. Outside the breeding season it is more frequently encountered in small groups.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are thin, high-pitched chips and short, tinkling trills. Song bouts are brief and interspersed with contact calls while foraging.
Plumage
Male with a solid black hood and throat contrasting with bright blue-green to turquoise body; wings darker with pale edging. Female is duller greenish with a dusky or less distinct hood and less saturated underparts. Both sexes have relatively short, sturdy bills.
Diet
Takes small fruits and berries, especially from melastomes and other montane shrubs. Also gleans insects and other arthropods from leaves and small branches, supplementing fruit with protein-rich prey. Occasional nectar visits may occur when flowers are abundant.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along forest edges, in secondary growth, and in the upper and mid-canopy of humid montane forests. On tepui summits it uses shrubby vegetation and elfin woodland where fruiting plants are concentrated.
