Ixothraupis xanthogastra
The Yellow-bellied Tanager (Ixothraupis xanthogastra) is a strikingly bicolored passerine bird native to the Neotropics, celebrated for its vibrant plumage. Measuring approximately 12.5 to 14 cm (4.9-5.5 in) in length and weighing between 12 to 20 grams, this medium-sized tanager exhibits a distinctive bright yellow belly and undertail coverts, sharply contrasted by an olive-green back, wings, and tail. A prominent feature is the contrasting black face mask or lores, which can vary in intensi...
This species primarily inhabits subtropical and tropical moist lowland and montane forests, favoring forest edges, clearings, and secondary growth from elevations typically between 300 to 1800 meters.
Their diet consists primarily of insects, including beetles, ants, and larvae, complemented by small fruits and berries gleaned from foliage.
Yellow-bellied Tanagers are diurnal and highly active, often observed foraging vigorously throughout the canopy and subcanopy layers. They employ a gleaning strategy, meticulously searching foliage for insects and small fruits, and are frequently seen participating in mixed-species foraging flock...
The Yellow-bellied Tanager is widely distributed across northern South America, with its range extending from eastern Panama (where it is a rare resident) through the Andes and adjacent lowlands. It is found extensively in Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, as well as in the western...
Least Concern
- The Yellow-bellied Tanager is a core member of many mixed-species foraging flocks, often seen alongside antwrens, flycatchers, and other tanagers. - Its genus, *Ixothraupis*, derives from Greek words meaning 'mistletoe' and 'tanager,' referencing the diet or habits of some species in the group....