Stilpnia cucullata
The Lesser Antillean Tanager, *Stilpnia cucullata*, is a striking member of the Thraupidae family, renowned for its vibrant, contrasting plumage. Measuring approximately 13-14 cm (5.1-5.5 in) in length and weighing around 18-24 grams, both sexes display a brilliant, iridescent violet-blue hood covering the head and upper breast, sharply contrasting with a bright yellow body and black wings and tail. A key field mark is this distinct "hood" coloration. Taxonomically, it belongs to the genus *S...
This tanager primarily inhabits humid montane and lowland forests, including secondary growth and shaded plantations, from sea level up to elevations of 1000 meters.
Their diet consists primarily of small fruits, berries, and insects, occasionally supplemented by nectar, gleaned from foliage and branches.
Lesser Antillean Tanagers are diurnal and primarily arboreal, spending most of their time in the forest canopy and subcanopy. They are active foragers, often joining mixed-species flocks, particularly with other tanagers and euphonias, to comb foliage for insects and fruit. Foraging techniques in...
The Lesser Antillean Tanager is an endemic resident of the Lesser Antilles, with its distribution restricted to four main islands. It is found on Martinique, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Grenada, inhabiting humid forests from coastal lowlands up to elevations of approximately 1000 meters. Two reco...
Least Concern
- The Lesser Antillean Tanager was formerly placed in the genus *Tangara*, a large group of Neotropical tanagers, before being reclassified into *Stilpnia* based on genetic studies. - Its iridescent violet-blue head is a result of structural coloration, where the microscopic structure of the feat...