Ruby-crowned Tanager
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Quick Facts
- Scientific Name: Tachyphonus coronatus
- Spanish Name: Tangara coronirrubí
- Family: Thraupidae
- Known Nicknames: Ruby-crowned Tanager, Red-crowned Tanager
- Average Length: 16–18 cm / 6.3–7.1 in
- Average Weight: 28–35 g / 1.0–1.2 oz
- Wingspan: 25–30 cm / 9.8–11.8 in
- Key Feature: Bright ruby-red crown patch on the male's black head
- Primary Diet: Primarily Frugivore, also feeds on insects and nectar
- Range: Southeastern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina
- Habitat: Atlantic Forest, montane and lowland forests, forest edges, and secondary growth
- Social Structure: Often seen in pairs or small flocks, sometimes joining mixed-species foraging groups
- Nesting/Breeding: Open cup-shaped nest built in tree forks or shrubs
- Conservation Status: Least Concern (LC)
- Population Trend: Stable
The Ruby-crowned Tanager (*Tachyphonus coronatus*) is a strikingly dimorphic songbird found in the lowland forests and woodlands of South America, particularly in the Amazon basin. The male is a vision of glossy black plumage, dramatically accented by a vivid, hidden ruby-red crown that he flaunts during courtship displays, along with bold white wing patches and a reddish undertone to his rump. In contrast, the female is a more subdued olive-brown with paler underparts, lacking the male's vibrant crown. A unique characteristic of this species is its specialized diet: while it forages for fruit and insects, it is an avid follower of army ant swarms, skillfully snatching small arthropods fleeing the advancing columns. This behavior, combined with its resonant, whistled song, makes the Ruby-crowned Tanager a dynamic and sought-after sight for birdwatchers exploring its tropical habitat.
Fun Facts
Despite its stunning crimson crown, the Ruby-crowned Tanager is often harder to spot than its flashier relatives because it prefers to forage in the dense, tangled understory, frequently hanging upside-down like a chickadee to pry insects from the undersides of leaves. Males perform a peculiar "wing-flicking" display during courtship, rapidly flashing the white patches on their shoulders while hopping sideways along branches, a behavior that looks almost mechanical. They also have a surprising symbiotic relationship with army ants, following swarms to snatch up fleeing insects and spiders, but they rarely join mixed-species flocks, preferring to stick with just one or two mates in a tight, territorial pair.
Habitats & Distribution
The Ruby-crowned Tanager primarily inhabits the humid lowland and montane forests of the Atlantic Forest biome, including both primary and secondary growth forests. It is also found in forest edges, clearings with scattered trees, and occasionally in nearby plantations and gardens, favoring dense understory vegetation and areas with abundant fruit-bearing plants. Its geographical range is restricted to eastern South America, stretching from southeastern Brazil (from Bahia south to Rio Grande do Sul) into eastern Paraguay and the extreme northeastern tip of Argentina (Misiones). The species is generally considered resident within this region, with no known migratory movements.
Behaviours & Reproduction
The Ruby-crowned Tanager is typically observed in monogamous pairs during the breeding season, though it may join mixed-species flocks outside of this period. Courtship involves the male displaying his vivid ruby crown by tilting his head and performing short, fluttering flights near the female while singing a sharp, repetitive song. The female builds a cup-shaped nest from plant fibers and moss, often hidden in dense foliage, and incubates a clutch of two to three eggs alone for about 13 days. Both parents actively feed the chicks, which fledge after two weeks, and the pair may raise multiple broods in a single season if conditions are favorable. A unique strategy is their use of abandoned nests of other birds or wasp nests to reduce predation risk, and they sometimes engage in cooperative breeding where helpers, typically previous offspring, assist in feeding the young.
Diet
The Ruby-crowned Tanager primarily eats a diet of fruits, berries, and insects, foraging actively in the mid to upper canopy of humid forests. An interesting fact is that it often joins mixed-species feeding flocks, allowing it to exploit insect prey flushed by other birds, while also consuming small arthropods like beetles, caterpillars, and spiders to supplement its largely frugivorous intake. During the breeding season, it may increase its protein intake from insects, and it has been observed occasionally visiting fruiting trees alongside other tanagers, demonstrating a flexible feeding strategy that adapts to seasonal fruit availability.
Colors
The Ruby-crowned Tanager is primarily glossy black, with males featuring a concealed but vivid crimson crown patch, white wing linings, and a small white shoulder spot; females are dull olive-brown above and paler yellowish below, with no crown patch. This species lacks specific camouflage adaptations, relying instead on its dark plumage for concealment in forest shadows.
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