Ramphocelus carbo
The Silver-beaked Tanager, *Ramphocelus carbo*, is a stunning and common passerine belonging to the family Thraupidae. Measuring approximately 16-17 cm (6.3-6.7 in) in length and weighing 23-38 g (0.8-1.3 oz), males are instantly recognizable by their velvety blackish-red to crimson plumage contrasted with a brilliant, highly conspicuous silvery-white lower mandible, often tipped with black. Females, while duller, exhibit brownish to olive-brown tones with a reddish wash and a less prominent ...
Found in semi-open areas, forest edges, secondary growth, clearings, gardens, plantations, and riparian zones, primarily in lowlands up to 1,500 meters (5,000 feet), occasionally higher.
Primarily frugivorous, consuming various small fleshy fruits and berries, supplemented with insects (beetles, ants, caterpillars), and occasionally nectar, gleaned from foliage or caught in flight.
Silver-beaked Tanagers are active diurnal birds, often seen in pairs or small family groups, occasionally joining mixed-species foraging flocks. They forage actively at various strata, from undergrowth to the sub-canopy, gleaning insects from foliage, snatching flying insects in short sallies, an...
The Silver-beaked Tanager boasts a wide distribution across northern and central South America, primarily as a resident, non-migratory species. Its extensive breeding range encompasses eastern Colombia, Venezuela, all three Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana), eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru,...
Least Concern
- The male's 'silver beak' is actually a highly specialized keratinous structure on the lower mandible, rather than true silver, making it a unique and defining characteristic. - Despite their vibrant coloration, males can be surprisingly inconspicuous when moving through dense foliage, often ble...