Dubusia carrikeri
Carriker's Mountain Tanager (*Dubusia carrikeri*) is a strikingly patterned, medium-sized passerine, reaching approximately 19 cm (7.5 inches) in length and weighing around 30-40 grams. Its most distinctive field marks include a bright blue crown, contrasting black facial mask and nape, and a prominent white supercilium that extends into a white stripe down the side of the neck. The underparts boast a vibrant yellow throat and upper chest, transitioning to a rich rufous on the belly and flank...
This specialized tanager inhabits humid montane cloud forests, forest edges, and elfin forests at high elevations, often bordering páramo ecosystems. It typically occurs between 2,000 and 3,200 meters above sea level.
The diet of Carriker's Mountain Tanager consists primarily of small fruits and berries, supplemented by a significant intake of insects and other arthropods. It forages by gleaning from foliage and occasionally making short aerial pursuits.
Carriker's Mountain Tanager is primarily diurnal, actively foraging throughout the day within the canopy and mid-story of its forest habitat. It often participates in mixed-species flocks, moving efficiently through the branches in search of food. Foraging strategies involve gleaning fruits and i...
Carriker's Mountain Tanager is an endemic resident of the Northern Central Andes of Colombia. Its primary breeding range is concentrated in the departments of Antioquia and Santander, extending into Bolívar and Boyacá departments, with potential isolated populations or historical records in south...
Near Threatened
- Carriker's Mountain Tanager is endemic to a very specific and fragmented region of the Northern Central Andes of Colombia, making its conservation critically important. - Its scientific genus, *Dubusia*, honors the Belgian politician and ornithologist, Bernard du Bus de Gisignies. - The species...