Tangara xanthocephala
The Saffron-crowned Tanager (*Tangara xanthocephala*) is a dazzling jewel of the Andean cloud forests, renowned for its strikingly vibrant plumage. Measuring around 12-13 cm (4.7-5.1 inches) in length and weighing typically between 17-21 grams (0.6-0.7 oz), this small passerine is instantly recognizable by its brilliant saffron-yellow crown, sharply contrasting with a broad black mask that extends over the lores and ear coverts. Its body plumage is predominantly a lush emerald green, appearin...
This species primarily inhabits humid subtropical and tropical montane cloud forests, forest edges, and clearings with scattered trees. It is typically found at elevations ranging from 900 to 2,400 meters (3,000 to 7,900 feet), though it can occasionally be seen higher or lower.
The diet of the Saffron-crowned Tanager consists primarily of arthropods, such as insects and spiders, which they glean from leaves and branches, supplemented by small fruits.
Saffron-crowned Tanagers are diurnal and highly arboreal, spending most of their time gleaning insects and small fruits from the foliage and branches of the forest canopy and mid-story. They are restless and active foragers, often joining mixed-species flocks composed of other tanagers, warblers,...
The Saffron-crowned Tanager is a resident species found throughout the Andes mountains of South America, with a broad distribution spanning from western Venezuela through Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, extending southward into central Bolivia. Its breeding and year-round range are essentially ident...
Least Concern
- The Saffron-crowned Tanager is named for the brilliant yellow-orange crown that resembles the spice saffron, making it one of the most vividly crowned birds in its genus. - It belongs to the genus *Tangara*, one of the largest and most speciose bird genera in the world, renowned for its incredi...