The speckled tanager is a medium-sized passerine bird. It is a resident breeder in Costa Rica, Panama, Trinidad, Venezuela, Colombia, Guyana, Suriname and the north of Brazil. There are also sight records from French Guiana.
Region
Southern Central America and northern South America
Typical Environment
This species inhabits humid lowland and foothill evergreen forests, especially along edges, clearings, and second-growth bordering mature forest. It is frequently encountered in the canopy and subcanopy, where it forages among leaves and at fruiting trees. It can adapt to lightly disturbed habitats and plantations near forest, and will visit forested gardens. While most common in intact forest mosaics, it persists where tall trees remain.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The speckled tanager often joins mixed-species flocks, moving actively through the mid- to upper canopy in search of fruit and insects. Its densely spotted plumage provides excellent camouflage among sun-dappled leaves. Nests are small cup structures placed in trees or tall shrubs, and pairs typically raise a small clutch. It is sometimes seen at fruiting trees along forest edges and in lightly disturbed habitats.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often travels in pairs or small groups and regularly joins mixed-species flocks in the canopy. Breeding pairs build a cup nest placed in trees or tall shrubs; both adults participate in caring for the young. Territoriality is modest, with most aggression occurring near the nest.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include thin, high-pitched chips and a soft, musical twittering series delivered from the canopy. Calls are frequent while foraging and help maintain contact within mixed flocks.
Plumage
Fine black spotting over green upperparts and whitish underparts, giving a densely speckled appearance; wings and tail edged with yellow-green.
Diet
Feeds on small fruits and berries, supplemented by insects and other arthropods gleaned from foliage. It frequently visits fruiting trees and shrubs, taking small items whole. Insects are picked from leaf surfaces and twigs or snatched during short sallies.
Preferred Environment
Primarily forages in the mid- to upper canopy along forest edges, clearings, and second-growth near mature forest. Also occurs in plantations and forested gardens where fruiting plants are available.
