The silver-throated tanager is a species of passerine bird in the tanager family Thraupidae. It is found in Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, and northeastern Peru. It inhabits mossy forests, montane evergreen forests, tropical lowland evergreen forests and forest edges, along with tall secondary forests and disturbed habitat with remnant trees and forest. It is 13 centimetres (5.1 in) long and weighs 22 grams (0.78 oz) on average, and shows slight sexual dimorphism, with duller female plumage. Adult males are mainly bright yellow, with a silvery-white throat bordered above with a black stripe on the cheeks, black streaking on the back, and green edges to the wings and tail. Juveniles are duller and greener.
Region
Central America to Northwestern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from Costa Rica and western Panama south through the Chocó and Andean foothills of Colombia and Ecuador into northeastern Peru. It favors humid, mossy montane and premontane evergreen forests, as well as forest edges and tall secondary growth. Birds often forage along flowering and fruiting trees in clearings, landslides, and road margins where canopy cover persists. It tolerates some disturbance provided remnant large trees and epiphyte-laden branches remain.
Altitude Range
300–2100 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The silver-throated tanager often joins mixed-species flocks, moving nimbly through mossy midstory and canopy to feed on small fruits and arthropods. Its gleaming whitish-silver throat bordered by a thin dark cheek line is a quick field mark even in dim cloud-forest light. It readily visits fruiting trees and sometimes nectar sources at forest edges and gardens. Nests are neat open cups placed among epiphytes or dense foliage.
In Costa Rica
Silver-throated tanager feeding
Juvenile in Costa Rica
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small groups and frequently joins mixed-species flocks in the canopy and midstory. Breeding pairs build an open cup nest concealed in epiphytes or dense foliage, with a small clutch typical of tanagers. They defend a small area around the nest but are otherwise tolerant of nearby conspecifics in good feeding areas.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives thin, high-pitched tseep notes and soft tinkling phrases, often delivered while foraging with flocks. The song is a light, hurried series of sibilant chips and trills that can be easily overlooked amid insect noise.
