The burnished-buff tanager, also known as the rufous-crowned tanager, is a common South American species of bird in the family Thraupidae.
Region
Northern and eastern South America
Typical Environment
Found across the Guianas, much of northern and eastern Brazil, and into adjacent Bolivia, Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina, with local presence in Venezuela. It favors forest edges, secondary growth, gallery forests, cerrado mosaics, plantations, and suburban parks and gardens. The species is common in disturbed habitats where fruiting shrubs and small trees are abundant. It typically forages from the midstory to canopy, descending to lower strata when feeding on cultivated fruits. Local movements follow food availability but long-distance migrations are not typical.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The burnished-buff tanager, also called the rufous-crowned tanager, is a widespread South American tanager that thrives in edge habitats and human-modified landscapes. Males show a warm rufous crown and buff underparts contrasted with blue-green highlights on the wings and back. It often joins mixed-species flocks and readily visits fruiting trees and garden feeders. Its adaptability has helped maintain healthy populations across much of its range.
Male (flava group) in São Paulo, Brazil
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with undulating flights between perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups and frequently joins mixed-species flocks while foraging. Breeding pairs build small cup nests in shrubs or trees, typically laying 2–3 eggs. They defend a small territory around the nest but are otherwise tolerant of conspecifics in rich feeding areas.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a thin, high-pitched series of twitters and sibilant phrases interspersed with sharp chips. Calls include soft tseep notes and quick, buzzy trills given during flocking and foraging. Vocalizations are modest in volume but persistent in active birds.
Plumage
Smooth, slightly glossy plumage with warm buff underparts and contrasting greenish to blue-green upperparts. Males display a distinct rufous crown and brighter bluish highlights on the shoulders and wings, while females are duller and more olive-buff. Wings and tail are darker with blue edging, giving a subtle iridescent effect. Subspecies vary in intensity of buff and extent of rufous on the crown.
Diet
Primarily eats small fruits and berries, supplemented with insects, spiders, and other small arthropods gleaned from foliage. It occasionally takes nectar and soft pulp from cultivated fruits. Diet shifts seasonally to track fruit availability, with more insects taken when feeding young. It readily uses fruiting ornamental trees in towns and gardens.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, in second growth, and in semi-open woodland, often from mid-canopy to the outer foliage. Frequently visits fruiting shrubs, Cecropia, and plantation trees, and will come to garden feeders offering bananas or papaya.
