The paradise tanager is a brilliantly multicolored, medium-sized songbird whose length varies between 13.5 and 15 cm. It has a light green head, sky blue underparts and black upper body plumage.The vivid colours of the paradise tanager have been linked to underlying achromatic feather layers that enhance the brilliance of structural colours. Depending on subspecies, the behind is yellow and red or all red. The beak is black and the legs are grey. It is native to the Amazon rainforest.
Region
Amazon Basin and Andean foothills
Typical Environment
Found across lowland and foothill rainforests of western and central Amazonia, including eastern Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, northern Bolivia, southern Venezuela, and western Brazil. It favors humid terra firme and várzea forests, as well as forest edges and tall secondary growth. The species typically forages in the mid- to upper canopy and along forest borders where fruiting trees are abundant. It frequently joins mixed-species flocks, moving actively through the canopy. Occurs patchily where suitable tall forest persists.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Despite its scientific name, the paradise tanager is not from Chile; it is a resident of the Amazon Basin. Its dazzling colors are enhanced by special underlying feather layers that intensify structural blues and greens. Birds often travel with mixed-species flocks high in the canopy, where their bright rumps are especially conspicuous. Subspecies differ in rump coloration, showing yellow-and-red or all-red combinations.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often travels in small groups and commonly integrates into mixed-species canopy flocks. Pairs or small family parties keep contact while moving quickly between fruiting trees. Nesting is concealed in dense foliage; both sexes likely participate in parental care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Soft, thin, high-pitched notes and twitters, often delivered while foraging. The voice is not loud; calls include delicate tseep and tsee series interspersed with faint trills.
