Tangara rufigenis
The Rufous-cheeked Tanager, *Tangara rufigenis*, is a jewel-toned denizen of Central American montane forests, captivating birders with its vibrant plumage. Measuring approximately 12-13 cm (4.7-5.1 in) in length and weighing around 18-20 grams, this medium-sized songbird is predominantly iridescent emerald green, shimmering under varying light. Its most distinctive field mark, giving the species its name, is the striking patch of rich rufous (cinnamon-orange) on its cheeks and ear-coverts, o...
Found in subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, cloud forests, and their edges, often tolerating heavily degraded forest. It typically inhabits elevations between 700 to 1800 meters (2,300-5,900 ft) above sea level.
Primarily omnivorous, its diet consists mainly of small arthropods, including insects and spiders, which it gleans from vegetation. It also consumes a significant amount of small fruits and berries, supplementing its insectivorous diet.
The Rufous-cheeked Tanager is an active, diurnal species, often observed foraging high in the canopy or mid-story, either solitarily or in pairs. It frequently joins mixed-species foraging flocks, a common strategy in tropical forests to enhance predator detection and foraging efficiency, often a...
The Rufous-cheeked Tanager is endemic to the humid montane forests of Central America, primarily inhabiting the Caribbean slope. Its core breeding and resident range extends from northern Nicaragua, through Costa Rica, and into western Panama. This distribution is somewhat fragmented, confined to...
Least Concern
- The Rufous-cheeked Tanager is one of over 50 species in the incredibly diverse *Tangara* genus, celebrated for their jewel-like colors. - Its iridescent green plumage isn't painted; it's structural, meaning the color is created by the way light interacts with the feather microstructures. - This...