The sulphur-rumped tanager is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae. It is found in Costa Rica and Panama. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
Region
Central America
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid lowland and foothill forests of Costa Rica and western Panama, mainly on the Caribbean slope but locally on the Pacific slope where suitable forest persists. It favors mature forest, tall secondary growth, and forest edges with abundant fruiting trees. Most activity is in the midstory to canopy, where it forages with mixed flocks. It tolerates some fragmentation but is most numerous in extensive tracts of moist forest.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A canopy and midstory tanager, it is often overlooked until it flashes its bright sulphur-yellow rump in flight. It frequently joins mixed-species foraging flocks in humid lowland and foothill forests. Both sexes are similar, with subtle plumage differences, which can make field identification challenging unless the rump is seen well.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick dashes between canopy gaps
Social Behavior
Often travels in pairs or small groups and readily joins mixed-species flocks in the midstory and canopy. Breeding pairs maintain small territories within larger tracts of forest. Nests are placed in dense vegetation; both adults participate in care of the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are soft, high-pitched chips and thin seet notes, given frequently while foraging. The song is a light, hurried twittering series that can be difficult to pick out over the ambient forest noise.
