Ixothraupis punctata
The Spotted Tanager, *Ixothraupis punctata*, is an avian gem of the Neotropical cloud forests, renowned for its strikingly patterned plumage. Measuring approximately 12-13 cm (about 5 inches) in length, this medium-sized passerine exhibits a mosaic of emerald green on its back and wings, contrasted by a vibrant buttercup yellow on its underparts, all exquisitely adorned with prominent, jet-black spots that give the species its eponymous name. A distinct black mask around the eye, a small blac...
Primarily inhabits subtropical and tropical moist montane and lowland forests, including forest edges and secondary growth, typically at elevations between 500 and 1500 meters.
Its diet consists primarily of insects, including various beetles, ants, and caterpillars, supplemented by a considerable intake of small fruits and berries gleaned from vegetation.
The Spotted Tanager is a highly active, diurnal bird, often observed as a core member of bustling mixed-species foraging flocks, alongside other tanagers and similar-sized forest birds. It employs an acrobatic foraging strategy, meticulously gleaning insects such as beetles, ants, wasps, and cate...
The Spotted Tanager is a resident species primarily found along the eastern slopes of the Andes mountains in South America. Its extensive distribution stretches from western Venezuela (specifically in Táchira, Barinas, and Mérida states) south through the Andean regions of Colombia and Ecuador. I...
Least Concern
- The specific epithet 'punctata' is Latin for 'spotted,' a direct reference to its highly distinctive plumage. - It was formerly placed in the large genus *Tangara*, which encompasses over 50 species, before recent phylogenetic studies moved it to *Ixothraupis*. - The Spotted Tanager is a common...