The purplish-mantled tanager is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae. It is found in Colombia and Ecuador. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and heavily degraded former forest. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Region
Andes Mountains (Western Andes of Colombia and northwestern Ecuador)
Typical Environment
Occurs along the humid western Andean slope in Colombia and northwestern Ecuador. Prefers subtropical to upper tropical montane cloud forests with abundant mosses, ferns, and bromeliads. Uses forest interiors, edges, and older secondary growth, and can persist in selectively logged or degraded forest if canopy structure remains. Often follows mixed-species foraging flocks through the midstory and canopy.
Altitude Range
700–2300 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This striking Andean tanager often travels in mixed-species flocks, moving quietly through mossy cloud forest midstory and canopy. Its deep purplish mantle can appear nearly black in dim forest light, helping it blend into epiphyte-laden branches. The species is sensitive to forest clearance and fragmentation; many authorities consider it Near Threatened due to ongoing habitat loss.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between trees
Social Behavior
Frequently joins mixed-species flocks, moving in pairs or small groups through midstory and canopy. Likely breeds as monogamous pairs that maintain a small territory within mature forest. Nesting is presumed to be an open cup placed in dense vegetation or mossy branches, as in many tanagers.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are soft and high-pitched, including thin tsit notes and brief, whispery trills. Songs are not especially loud or musical and may be overlooked amid forest ambient sounds.
Plumage
Dark, dusky plumage with a rich purplish mantle and scapulars contrasting against blackish-slate head and underparts; subtle bluish gloss on wings and tail.
Diet
Takes small fruits and berries from forest trees and shrubs, often gleaning carefully among foliage. Supplements its diet with arthropods picked from leaves, mossy limbs, and epiphytes. May join mixed flocks to exploit ephemeral food resources and to flush insects.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mainly in the midstory to canopy of humid cloud forest and at forest edges. Frequently forages along ridgelines, gaps, and roadside vegetation where fruiting plants are accessible.
