Turquoise Tanager

Overview

The turquoise tanager (Tangara mexicana) is a medium-sized passerine bird belonging to the tanager family Thraupidae. It is a resident species found across humid forest regions in South America and Trinidad, though it is notably absent from Mexico despite its scientific name.

Identification

• 14 cm long with a long tail and a dark, stout, pointed bill.
• Primarily dark blue and black plumage with turquoise edging on the primaries.
• Most subspecies feature yellow lower underparts, which are paler or cream in the nominate race and more vivid in the Trinidadian race.
• Song is described as a fast squeaky chatter resembling 'tic-tic-tic-tic-tic'.

Habitat

Restricted to areas with humid forest, its primary distribution is the Amazon, extending to parts of Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, and south to Bolivia. It also occurs in Trinidad and inhabits forest, woodland, and cultivation areas.

Diet

These social birds usually forage in groups, feeding on a wide variety of fruit. They also consume insects and other arthropods, often gleaned from twigs.

Did you know?

Despite its scientific name Tangara mexicana, the turquoise tanager is not found in Mexico.