The diademed tanager is a species of Neotropical bird in the tanager family Thraupidae. It is the only member of the genus Stephanophorus. It is purple-blue with a white crown characterised by a small red patch, and it is found mostly in open areas in southern Brazil, northeast Argentina, and Uruguay.
Region
Southern Cone of South America
Typical Environment
Occurs primarily in southern Brazil, Uruguay, and northeastern Argentina, favoring open areas with scattered shrubs, edges of forest, second-growth, and campo/grassland mosaics. It is also found in highland scrub and along rocky slopes, sometimes near human-altered landscapes like pastures and orchards. The species uses shrubby thickets and low canopies to forage and nest. Local movements may occur in response to fruiting cycles and weather, but it is largely resident across its range.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This striking tanager is the sole member of its genus, easily recognized by its white crown with a tiny red patch—the ‘diadem’ that gives it its name. It frequents open, shrubby habitats and highland grasslands in southern Brazil, Uruguay, and northeastern Argentina. Often seen in pairs or small groups, it moves methodically through bushes and low trees for fruit and insects.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small loose groups, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks in shrublands and forest edges. Nests are cup-shaped and placed low in dense shrubbery; both parents are involved in care. Territoriality is moderate, with soft chases during the breeding season.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Voice includes bright, thin, and slightly buzzy notes delivered in short phrases. Calls are high, metallic chips, with a simple, pleasant warble during the breeding season.
Plumage
Rich purple-blue body with darker wings and tail; crown is white with a small central red patch, bordered by darker tones that emphasize the 'diadem'. The face can appear dusky, with subtle contrast against the vivid body color. Feathers often show a glossy or velvety sheen in good light.
Diet
Eats a mix of small fruits and berries along with insects and other arthropods. It gleans from foliage and probes among berries, supplementing with caterpillars, beetles, and small spiders. Diet composition varies seasonally, increasing fruit intake when shrubs and small trees are in heavy fruit.
Preferred Environment
Forages in shrubby edges, second-growth patches, and open woodlands, often between the ground and mid-canopy. It also visits clearings, rocky slopes with scattered bushes, and sometimes gardens or orchards.
