Stilpnia whitelyi
The Black-hooded Tanager, *Stilpnia whitelyi*, is a strikingly marked passerine bird belonging to the family Thraupidae. This medium-sized tanager typically measures 13-14 cm (5.1-5.5 in) in length and weighs between 18-22 g (0.63-0.78 oz). Its most distinctive field mark is the stark, velvety black hood that covers its head and throat, sharply contrasting with its brilliant yellow underparts. The back and wings are a rich olive-green, while the rump often shows a blue-gray wash, adding anoth...
Found exclusively in humid montane cloud forests and humid foothill forests, primarily within the unique tepui regions of its range. It inhabits elevations typically between 900-2,000 meters (3,000-6,500 feet).
Feeds primarily on small arthropods, gleaned from foliage and branches. Its diet is supplemented with various small fruits and berries, often plucked directly from plants.
The Black-hooded Tanager is a diurnal and active arboreal species, constantly moving through the canopy and subcanopy in search of food. Its foraging strategy primarily involves gleaning small arthropods and fruits from leaves and branches, often hanging acrobatically to access prey. While specif...
The Black-hooded Tanager is endemic to the unique tepui region of southern Venezuela and western Guyana, with marginal records extending into northern Brazil. Its primary distribution lies across the Guiana Highlands, specifically on and around the isolated table-top mountains known as tepuis. Ke...
Least Concern
- The Black-hooded Tanager was named in honor of Henry Whitely, a British ornithological collector renowned for his expeditions in South America. - It belongs to the genus *Stilpnia*, a group of colorful tanagers that were, until recently, classified under the larger genus *Tangara*. - Despite it...