The Puerto Rican tanager is a small passerine bird endemic to the archipelago of Puerto Rico. It is the only member of the genus Nesospingus and has historically been placed in the tanager family, but recent studies indicate it as either belonging in its own family Nesospingidae or as being a member of Phaenicophilidae. Its closest relatives are likely the spindalises. The Puerto Rican tanager is known to locals as llorosa, which means 'cryer'.
Region
Caribbean (Puerto Rico)
Typical Environment
Occurs across Puerto Rico’s interior and eastern mountains, especially in mature and secondary wet and montane forests. It is regular in protected areas such as El Yunque (Luquillo Mountains), Carite, Toro Negro, and Maricao state forests. Birds forage from the midstory to canopy along forested ridges, ravines, and stream corridors. It tolerates some disturbance and may use shaded coffee and secondary growth near intact forest, but relies most on continuous native forest.
Altitude Range
200–1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Puerto Rican tanager is the sole member of its genus and likely represents its own small Caribbean lineage, sometimes placed in the family Nesospingidae. Locally called 'llorosa' (cryer), it gives plaintive, thin calls as it forages through forest flocks. It often joins mixed-species parties and is an important disperser of small forest fruits. Its white wing panel—the 'speculum'—is a distinctive field mark, especially in flight.
Clumps of bamboo in a Puerto Rican subtropical wet forest. Typical roosting habitat for the Puerto Rican tanager.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick dashes between trees
Social Behavior
Typically travels in small family groups and frequently joins mixed-species foraging flocks. During breeding, pairs defend a territory and build a cup nest concealed in foliage. Both parents tend the young and may remain loosely associated after fledging.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Voice is a series of thin, plaintive notes and squeaky chips, often delivered while foraging. The call has a weeping quality that inspires the local name 'llorosa'. Songs include soft warbling phrases interspersed with high, sibilant notes.
