Tangara gyrola
The Bay-headed Tanager (Tangara gyrola) is a strikingly vibrant neotropical passerine, instantly recognizable by its rich chestnut or 'bay' colored head, contrasting sharply with its brilliant emerald green body plumage. Measuring approximately 13-14 cm (5.1-5.5 inches) in length and weighing around 19-22 grams, this avian jewel sports a vivid blue rump and wing-coverts, often becoming more intense towards the primaries and tail. Distinctive field marks include its warm, rufous-brown head, wh...
This tanager primarily inhabits humid evergreen forests, including cloud forests, secondary growth, and forest edges. It is typically found at elevations ranging from lowlands up to 2,000 meters (6,500 feet), occasionally higher.
Their diet consists primarily of small insects, various fruits (especially berries), and occasionally nectar, gleaned from foliage or plucked directly from plants.
Bay-headed Tanagers are diurnal and highly active, spending their days foraging in the canopy and subcanopy of trees. They are frequently observed participating in mixed-species flocks, often joining other tanagers, warblers, and honeycreepers, moving deliberately through the foliage. Their forag...
The Bay-headed Tanager boasts an extensive resident range across Central and South America. In Central America, it is found from Costa Rica south through Panama. Its South American distribution is vast, encompassing much of Colombia, Venezuela, and the Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana), e...
Least Concern
- The Bay-headed Tanager is one of the most widespread species within the diverse and colorful Tangara genus. - It is a frequent participant in mixed-species foraging flocks, often acting as a 'nuclear' species that other birds follow. - Its scientific genus name, *Tangara*, comes from the Tupi i...