Stilpnia preciosa
The Chestnut-backed Tanager (*Stilpnia preciosa*) is a vibrant and captivating passerine bird endemic to the Andean cloud forests of South America. Males are instantly recognizable by their striking deep chestnut back, contrasting with a jet-black head, wings, and tail, and brilliant azure-blue underparts. They typically measure 12-14 cm in length and weigh between 15-20 grams. Females, while also beautiful, exhibit more muted coloration, with duller blue underparts and a greenish-blue wash o...
Found primarily in humid montane forests, forest edges, and secondary growth within the subtropical and temperate zones of the Andes, typically at elevations between 800 and 2,000 meters.
Their diet consists mainly of small insects and other arthropods, supplemented significantly by small fruits and berries, reflecting their omnivorous tanager typical diet. They primarily forage by gleaning from foliage and occasionally making short aerial sallies.
Chestnut-backed Tanagers are diurnal birds, active from dawn to dusk, often joining mixed-species foraging flocks outside the breeding season, which provides enhanced vigilance against predators. They are agile foragers, primarily gleaning insects and other arthropods from foliage and branches, o...
The Chestnut-backed Tanager is a resident species found exclusively along the Andean cordillera in South America. Its primary range extends from the extreme southern reaches of Colombia, south through the central and western Andes of Ecuador and Peru, continuing into central Bolivia. This species...
Least Concern
- The scientific name *preciosa* is Latin for 'precious' or 'beautiful,' a fitting description for this stunning bird. - Despite its vibrant colors, it can be surprisingly difficult to spot in the dense canopy of the cloud forest due to its active foraging style. - It is a classic example of a 'c...