Chlorochrysa calliparaea
The Orange-eared Tanager (Chlorochrysa calliparaea) is a breathtakingly vibrant avian gem, measuring approximately 12-13 cm (4.7-5.1 inches) in length and weighing around 16-21 grams. This petite tanager is primarily emerald green, with the male boasting a brilliant orange patch behind the eye, a golden-yellow throat, and contrasting purplish-blue patches on its wings and lower back, creating a truly spectacular display. Females share the green body but have a duller orange ear patch and less...
This species primarily inhabits humid subtropical and tropical montane forests, often favoring cloud forests and their edges, at elevations typically ranging from 900 to 2,000 meters. They prefer areas with dense undergrowth and epiphyte-laden trees.
Their diet is omnivorous, consisting primarily of small insects and arthropods gleaned from foliage, supplemented significantly by small fruits and berries.
Orange-eared Tanagers are diurnal, active from dawn until dusk, often roosting communally in dense foliage, though specific roosting sites are not well-documented. They are primarily arboreal, actively foraging in the mid-story to canopy, frequently joining mixed-species flocks, a common strategy...
The Orange-eared Tanager is endemic to the humid eastern slopes of the Andes, exhibiting a somewhat disjunct distribution across South America. Its breeding range extends from the extreme eastern Andes of Colombia, through eastern Ecuador, and into northern Peru, primarily in the departments of S...
Least Concern
- The Orange-eared Tanager's vibrant green plumage provides excellent camouflage amidst the mosses and leaves of its cloud forest home. - Its scientific genus name, `Chlorochrysa`, literally means "green-gold," perfectly describing its shimmering colors. - Despite its striking appearance, it's of...