Bangsia arcaei
The striking Blue-and-gold Tanager (Bangsia arcaei) is a small, vibrant songbird belonging to the family Thraupidae. Measuring approximately 13.5-14.5 cm (5.3-5.7 in) in length and weighing around 24-28 g (0.8-1.0 oz), this species is easily identified by its iridescent cobalt-blue upperparts contrasting sharply with brilliant golden-yellow underparts. Its head, wings, and tail are primarily black, with the blue extending slightly onto the nape and back. A key field mark is the distinct line ...
This tanager primarily inhabits humid montane forests and cloud forests, favoring the mid-story to canopy. It is typically found at elevations ranging from 750 to 1,700 meters (2,460 to 5,577 feet) above sea level.
Its diet consists primarily of small insects and arthropods, supplemented with various fruits and berries, especially those from Ericaceae and Melastomataceae. It forages by gleaning from leaves and branches, and occasionally by sallying for flying insects.
The Blue-and-gold Tanager is a diurnal species, active throughout the day, often foraging alone, in pairs, or as part of mixed-species flocks. It forages actively in the canopy and subcanopy, gleaning insects from foliage and probing mosses and epiphytes for hidden prey. While specific territoria...
The Blue-and-gold Tanager has a highly disjunct and restricted range across Central and South America. In Central America, it is found primarily along the Caribbean slope of northern Costa Rica, extending into western Panama in the provinces of Bocas del Toro and Chiriquí. There are also isolated...
Vulnerable
- The Blue-and-gold Tanager's vibrant blue plumage is structural, meaning it's created by the microscopic structure of its feathers refracting light, rather than by pigments. - Its scientific name, *Bangsia arcaei*, honors Outram Bangs, an American ornithologist, and Arcé, a collector. - This spe...