Thraupis cyanoptera
The Azure-shouldered Tanager (Thraupis cyanoptera) is a striking medium-sized passerine, measuring approximately 16-17 cm (6.3-6.7 inches) in length and weighing around 32-40 grams. Its plumage is predominantly a delicate blue-gray, with the male often appearing brighter than the subtly duller female. The most distinctive field mark, giving the species its name, is the brilliant azure blue patch on its carpal (shoulder) area, contrasting sharply with its otherwise darker wings and tail. Taxon...
This species primarily inhabits humid montane forests, forest borders, and secondary growth, often found in clearings with scattered trees. It typically occurs at elevations ranging from 700 to 2,300 meters above sea level.
Omnivorous, its diet consists primarily of small fruits and berries, complemented by a significant intake of insects and other arthropods gleaned from foliage.
Azure-shouldered Tanagers are diurnal and highly active, often observed foraging during the cooler parts of the day. They are typically seen in pairs or small family groups, sometimes joining larger, diverse mixed-species flocks that include other tanagers, euphonias, and warblers, enhancing fora...
The Azure-shouldered Tanager is endemic to the humid montane and subtropical regions of northern South America. Its primary range extends along the Andes Mountains from Venezuela, specifically in the Cordillera de Mérida, through the eastern and central Andes of Colombia and Ecuador, south into n...
Least Concern
- The name 'cyanoptera' is derived from Greek, meaning 'blue-winged,' directly referring to its striking azure shoulder patch. - Unlike many Neotropical birds, Azure-shouldered Tanagers exhibit very little sexual dimorphism, making it challenging to differentiate males from females in the field. ...