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Overview
Blue-browed tanager

Blue-browed tanager

Wikipedia

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

Distribution

Region

Andes Mountains

Typical Environment

Inhabits subtropical and tropical moist montane forests on the Andean slopes of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Favors mature, humid forest with abundant epiphytes, as well as edges and tall secondary growth. Commonly forages in the midstory to canopy, especially at fruiting trees. It uses forested ravines and cloud forest mosaics and typically avoids open lowland habitats.

Altitude Range

800–2400 m

Climate Zone

Highland

Characteristics

Size12–13 cm
Wing Span20–24 cm
Male Weight0.019 kg
Female Weight0.017 kg
Life Expectancy6 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

The blue-browed tanager is a striking Andean tanager noted for its vivid blue eyebrow (supercilium) contrasting with darker facial plumage. It often joins mixed-species flocks, moving quickly through the canopy in search of fruit and insects. Its presence is a good indicator of healthy, humid montane forest. Despite its bright colors, it can be surprisingly cryptic in dense foliage.

Gallery

Bird photo
Bird photo
Bird photo
Tangara cyanotis melanotis & Tangara cyanotis cyanotis

Tangara cyanotis melanotis & Tangara cyanotis cyanotis

Behaviour

Temperament

social and active

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with brief undulating bouts

Social Behavior

Usually found in pairs or small groups and frequently associates with mixed-species flocks in the canopy. Breeding pairs are territorial around nest sites, constructing a small cup-shaped nest concealed in dense foliage. Clutch size is small, and both parents participate in provisioning.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Song is a soft, thin series of high-pitched notes, interspersed with short trills. Calls are sharp, sibilant tsee or tsee-tit chips used to maintain contact within flocks.

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