Tangara callophrys
A small, brilliantly plumaged passerine, the Opal-crowned Tanager (*Tangara callophrys*) is a jewel of the Neotropics, immediately recognizable by its stunning, iridescent crown feathers. Measuring approximately 12.5-13.5 cm (5-5.3 inches) in length and weighing around 18-22 grams, this species exhibits a dazzling array of colors. Males boast an intense, shimmering light blue to whitish-blue crown that shifts with the light, contrasting sharply with a black face, chin, and throat. Its upperpa...
Inhabits humid tropical and subtropical lowland forests, primarily in the canopy and subcanopy, typically below 900 meters (3,000 feet) elevation.
Primarily frugivorous, consuming a variety of small berries and fruits, supplemented significantly by insects and other small arthropods gleaned from foliage.
The Opal-crowned Tanager is a highly arboreal and diurnal species, actively foraging throughout the day within the upper strata of the forest. It is frequently observed participating in mixed-species foraging flocks, often alongside other tanagers, woodcreepers, and antbirds, a common behavior am...
The Opal-crowned Tanager is a resident species found exclusively in the upper Amazon basin of South America. Its distribution spans southeastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru, northern Bolivia, and the western Amazonian states of Brazil. Specifically, it occurs in departments such as Me...
Least Concern
- The Opal-crowned Tanager's crown feathers exhibit structural coloration, meaning their shimmering effect is not due to pigments but microscopic structures that reflect light in iridescent hues, similar to an opal gemstone. - It belongs to the genus *Tangara*, one of the most species-rich genera...