The green-capped tanager is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae. It is endemic to forest edge and gardens at altitudes of 1,450–2,200 m (4,760–7,220 ft) in Puno, Peru, and La Paz, Bolivia. It is fairly common and possibly spreading, but its small population has led to it being evaluated as Near Threatened by BirdLife International and IUCN. It closely resembles the widespread burnished-buff tanager, but its mantle is bluer (male) or greener (female), and its crown is greenish-buff. Its specific name commemorates the ornithologist Rodolphe Meyer de Schauensee.
Region
Central Andes
Typical Environment
Occupies the eastern Andean slopes and intermontane valleys of southern Peru and western Bolivia. It favors forest edges, semi-humid and montane scrub, second-growth thickets, and cultivated areas with scattered trees. The species adapts well to human-modified landscapes, including gardens and shade-grown plots. It often forages in the mid to upper canopy but will descend to lower vegetation when fruiting shrubs are available.
Altitude Range
1450–2200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The green-capped tanager is a small Andean tanager restricted to southern Peru (Puno) and adjacent Bolivia (La Paz). It closely resembles the burnished-buff tanager but shows a greenish-buff crown and a bluer (male) to greener (female) mantle. It frequents forest edges, second growth, and even gardens, where it often joins mixed-species flocks. Assessed as Near Threatened due to its limited range and small population, it may nonetheless be expanding locally.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often travels in pairs or small family groups and readily joins mixed-species flocks in the canopy and edges. Likely forms monogamous pairs during the breeding season, constructing a small cup nest concealed in dense foliage. Territoriality appears modest, with foraging ranges overlapping where resources are abundant.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are a series of thin, high-pitched chips and trills interspersed with soft twittering phrases. The song is not especially loud but carries in the canopy, while contact calls are sharp and frequent during flocking.
Plumage
Compact tanager with smooth, clean plumage; males show a brighter bluish mantle and wings with buffy underparts, while females are greener overall. Both sexes have a greenish-buff crown and contrasting darker face. The wings and tail show bluish to teal tones, with subtle edging.
Diet
Feeds on a mixed diet of small fruits and berries, complemented by arthropods gleaned from leaves and twigs. It picks fruit delicately and probes clusters for ripe items, switching to quick gleaning and short sallies for insects. Occasional nectar sipping may occur when flowers are abundant.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, secondary growth, and gardens with fruiting shrubs and small trees. Most activity is in the mid to upper strata, though it will descend to lower bushes when food is concentrated.
