Mitrospingus oleagineus
The Olive-backed Tanager (Mitrospingus oleagineus) is a striking passerine bird endemic to the tepuis of northern South America, belonging to the distinct family Mitrospingidae, a basal lineage among tanagers with only two other closely related species. Measuring approximately 18 cm (7.1 inches) in length and weighing 33-39 grams (1.2-1.4 oz), this species is characterized by its dull olive-green upperparts, a contrasting slate-gray head, and a conspicuous black mask extending from the lores ...
Found primarily in the humid montane forest understory and lower to mid-story, forest edges, and dense secondary growth, often near streams, at elevations between 400 and 1500 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of arthropods collected through gleaning and sallying, supplemented with small fruits.
Olive-backed Tanagers are diurnal and typically forage in small, cohesive groups of 3-6 individuals, often integrating into larger, more diverse mixed-species flocks alongside antbirds, flycatchers, and other tanagers. Their foraging strategy involves actively moving through dense foliage, employ...
The Olive-backed Tanager is a resident species distributed across the tepuis and adjacent highlands of southeastern Venezuela, western Guyana, northern Brazil, Suriname, and French Guiana. Its range is somewhat fragmented due to its association with these isolated sandstone plateaus and surroundi...
Least Concern
- The Olive-backed Tanager belongs to the small family Mitrospingidae, which includes only three species, distinguishing it from the much larger Thraupidae (true tanager) family. - It is endemic to the unique 'tepui' region of northern South America, a landscape characterized by isolated table-to...