The yellow-crested tanager is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae. It is found in the western Amazon Basin . Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
Region
Western Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Inhabits subtropical and tropical moist lowland forests of western Amazonia, including Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and adjacent western Brazil. Most frequently encountered in the canopy and upper midstory, but it also ventures along forest edges and into older secondary growth. It favors riverine and terra firme forests where fruiting trees are abundant. It regularly participates in mixed-species flocks moving through the canopy.
Altitude Range
0–1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also known as the Flame-crested Tanager, the male displays an erectile yellow to orange crest that can be surprisingly inconspicuous when flattened. It often joins mixed-species flocks in the forest canopy, where it gleans insects and fruits. Strong sexual dimorphism means females look quite different, being mostly olive rather than black.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often travels with mixed-species canopy flocks and forages in small groups or pairs. Breeding pairs are territorial around nesting sites, building cup-shaped nests concealed in foliage. Post-breeding, it becomes more loosely social while following fruiting trees.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include sharp chips and thin tseet notes given frequently while foraging. The simple song is a short, buzzy series or twittering phrases, repeated from mid-canopy perches.
Plumage
Male mostly glossy black with an erectile, brightly colored crown patch; female olive-green above with duller yellowish underparts and no striking crest. Plumage is smooth with minimal streaking; the crest forms a small tuft when raised.
Diet
Consumes a mix of small fruits and berries along with insects and other arthropods gleaned from leaves and small branches. It will sally short distances to snatch flying insects and occasionally probes flowers for nectar. Fruit availability strongly influences its local movements and flocking behavior.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mainly in the canopy and upper midstory of intact or lightly disturbed rainforest. Also uses forest edges, gallery forest, and mature secondary growth where fruiting trees are common.
