Metallic-green Tanager

Overview

The metallic-green tanager (Tangara labradorides) is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and comprises two recognised subspecies.

Identification

• Metallic blue-green colouration resembling feldspar, with the southeastern Ecuadorian and Peruvian subspecies being greener and lacking gold on the forehead.
• Pale abdomen in the southeastern subspecies.
• Golden-green margins on the primary flight feathers in the southeastern subspecies.

Habitat

Found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, where its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. The nominate subspecies occurs in western and central Colombia and western Ecuador, while the southeastern subspecies ranges from southeastern Ecuador to northern Peru.

Did you know?

The specific name labradorides derives from the French pierre de Labrador (feldspar), referring to the bird's metallic blue-green colour. The genus name Tangara comes from the Tupí word tangara, meaning dancer.