Anisognathus notabilis
The striking Black-chinned Mountain Tanager (Anisognathus notabilis) is a medium-sized Neotropical songbird, measuring approximately 18-19 cm (7-7.5 inches) in length and weighing around 40-50 grams. Its plumage is a vivid mosaic of black, yellow, and blue. Adults sport a glossy black head, throat, and back, contrasting sharply with brilliant yellow underparts, a conspicuous yellow shoulder patch, and a distinctive bluish-gray rump. The species derives its common name from the prominent black...
This species inhabits humid montane forests, cloud forests, and forest edges, primarily at elevations between 1,500 and 3,000 meters (approximately 5,000-10,000 feet).
Its diet consists primarily of insects, including beetles and caterpillars, supplemented significantly by fruits, and occasionally nectar, all gleaned from vegetation.
The Black-chinned Mountain Tanager is primarily diurnal, active from dawn to dusk, often spending its nights roosting communally or in sheltered branches within the dense forest canopy. It is a highly social species, frequently observed in pairs or small family groups, but most notably as an acti...
The Black-chinned Mountain Tanager is endemic to the northern Andes, primarily distributed across Colombia and northern Ecuador. In Colombia, it is found along both the Western and Central Andes mountain ranges, extending from the northern departments southwards. Its range continues into western ...
Least Concern
- The Black-chinned Mountain Tanager often joins mixed-species foraging flocks, which can include dozens of individuals from various species, creating a vibrant spectacle in the cloud forest. - Its scientific genus name, Anisognathus, means "unequal jaw," though the specific reason for this namin...