The blue-necked tanager is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae. It is found in South America from Colombia to Bolivia.
Region
Northern Andes and western Amazonia
Typical Environment
Occurs from Colombia through Ecuador and Peru into western Bolivia, mainly on the Andean foothills and adjacent lowlands. It inhabits humid evergreen forests, forest edges, and second growth, and frequently visits fruiting trees in clearings and gardens near forest. Most activity is in the canopy and subcanopy, though it will descend to mid-levels where fruit is abundant. It tolerates moderate habitat disturbance if fruit sources remain available.
Altitude Range
200–2000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
This striking tanager often joins mixed-species foraging flocks in the canopy, enhancing feeding efficiency and predator detection. Its vivid turquoise head and blue rump contrast sharply with its black body, making it one of the more easily recognized Tangara. It plays an important role in seed dispersal by consuming a wide variety of small fruits. Several subspecies vary subtly in the hue and extent of blue on the head and underparts.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often forages in pairs or small groups and commonly integrates into mixed-species flocks moving through the canopy. Breeding pairs construct a small cup nest concealed in foliage, with both adults provisioning the young. Territories are defended around nest sites but feeding areas may overlap.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Calls are thin, high-pitched tsip and tsee notes, given frequently while foraging. The song is a soft, rapid twittering series of squeaky phrases that can be easily overlooked under rainforest ambient noise.
Plumage
Glossy black body with a bright turquoise-blue head and neck, vivid blue rump and shoulder patches, and bluish to violet wash on the lower belly. Feathers are sleek and close-fitting, giving a clean, contrasting appearance.
Diet
Consumes a wide range of small fruits and berries, especially from melastomes and other canopy fruiting plants. Supplements fruit with arthropods gleaned from leaves and twigs, and occasionally hawks small insects in short sallies. Will visit fruiting trees in mixed flocks and may take nectar opportunistically.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mainly in the canopy and subcanopy of humid forests, along edges, and in secondary growth. Also uses shade-grown plantations and gardens near forest when fruit is available.
