Return of Bird of the Week: Blue and Yellow Tanager
This is a somewhat drabber tanager, but after last week’s bird almost anything is gong to look drab.
Male Blue and Yellow Tanager, Ollyaytantambo, Peru
This is a male Blue and Yellow Tanager, a widely distributed species found from Argentina northwest to Andean Ecuador. It’s a generalist, found in may kinds of habitats from scrubby edges and parks to pure forest of varied types. And frequently around fruit feeders; it’s an enthusiastic attendant to feeders.
The species is identified by its blue head and wings, blackish or greenish back, and yellow underparts and rump; females are less colorful than males but show the same general pattern.
Female Blue and Yellow Tanager, Ollytantambo, Peru
Common and widespread over almost all of its extensive range. The species has profited from deforestation, settlement and other human activities. It adjusts readily to forest margins.
There are at least three subspecies but, as readers are learning, like a lot of neotropical species, little is known about the species. Given the wide range and adaptability to human-altered landscapes, you’d think the species would not be at risk, but IUCN reports populations are declining based on the limited sata that is available.
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