Tangara lavinia
The Rufous-winged Tanager (`Tangara lavinia`) is a breathtaking gem of the Neotropical forest understory, known for its vivid plumage and active demeanor. This small, approximately 13 cm (5.1 in) long and 19-gram (0.67 oz) passerine showcases a brilliant, iridescent blue body that contrasts sharply with a striking black face mask. Its most distinctive feature, and the origin of its name, is the prominent rufous-chestnut patch adorning its wing coverts and secondaries, a field mark unmatched b...
The Rufous-winged Tanager inhabits humid lowland and foothill evergreen forests, frequently utilizing forest edges, clearings with scattered trees, and shaded plantations. It is typically found at elevations ranging from sea level up to about 1,200 meters.
This species primarily feeds on a diverse array of arthropods, including insects and spiders, which it gleans from foliage. It supplements its insectivorous diet with various small fruits, consumed whole or by extracting pulp.
As a quintessential Neotropical resident, the Rufous-winged Tanager is a highly active, diurnal species, often encountered in the canopy and subcanopy of its forest home. It is frequently observed participating in mixed-species foraging flocks, a common strategy in tropical forests to enhance for...
The Rufous-winged Tanager maintains a resident distribution spanning from southern Honduras, through Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, and into northwestern South America. In South America, its range includes the Pacific slope of Colombia, extending through the Chocó region, and south into weste...
Least Concern
- The Rufous-winged Tanager is one of over 50 species in the vibrant `Tangara` genus, renowned for their kaleidoscopic plumages. - Its distinctive rufous wing patch is a key identification marker, making it relatively easy to distinguish from similar blue tanagers. - Despite its dazzling colors, ...