Flame-rumped Tanager (Male)

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Ramphocelus flammigerus
• Spanish Name: Tangara flamígera
• Family: Thraupidae
• Known Nicknames: Variable Tanager, Scarlet-rumped Tanager
• Average Length: 18–19 cm / 7.1–7.5 in
• Average Weight: 28–32 g / 1.0–1.1 oz
• Wingspan: 25–30 cm / 9.8–11.8 in
• Key Feature: Velvety black plumage with a brilliant, contrasting scarlet-red lower back and rump
• Primary Diet: Omnivore (Primarily Frugivore and Insectivore)
• Range: Western Colombia and Western Ecuador
• Habitat: Humid forest edges, clearings, and secondary growth
• Social Structure: Social; typically found in pairs or small family groups
• Nesting/Breeding: Cup nest built in low shrubs or dense foliage
• Statut de conservation : Préoccupation mineure (LC)
• Population Trend: Stable

The male Flame-rumped Tanager (*Ramphocelus flammigerus*) is a visually stunning songbird native to the humid forests and edges of Colombia and Ecuador, renowned for its dramatic and high-contrast plumage. This medium-sized bird is characterized by a sleek, velvety jet-black body that serves as a bold backdrop for its most striking feature: an intense, glowing patch of scarlet or fiery orange-red on its lower back and rump. This namesake "flame" becomes particularly radiant when the bird is in flight or performing courtship displays to attract mates. Adding to its distinctive look is a thick, silvery-blue bill with a dark tip, which it uses to forage for a variety of fruits and small insects. Often seen traveling in small, social groups, the male Flame-rumped Tanager is a charismatic icon of tropical biodiversity, easily identified by the brilliant flash of color it leaves in its wake.

Faits amusants

The male Flame-rumped Tanager is a master of the "bill-up" display, a quirky ritual where it tilts its beak skyward to aggressively flaunt its brilliant scarlet lower back at rivals. Despite their flashy appearance, these birds act as the "alarm system" of the tropical forest, using loud, rhythmic chirps to lead mixed-species flocks and warn others of approaching predators. While they primarily feast on fruit, they possess a flycatcher-like adaptation called "sallying," where they suddenly dart from a perch to snatch insects mid-air with surprising agility. In regions where their territory overlaps with the Lemon-rumped Tanager, they frequently hybridize, resulting in a stunning natural spectrum of offspring with rumps ranging from fiery orange to pale gold.

Habitats et répartition

This species is endemic to Colombia, specifically restricted to the humid and semi-humid regions of the Cauca and Magdalena river valleys. It is typically found at elevations ranging from 800 to 2,100 meters, though it may occasionally be observed in the lower foothills and Pacific slopes. It thrives in semi-open habitats such as forest edges, second-growth woodland, and scrubby clearings. The bird is also well-adapted to human-altered environments, frequently appearing in gardens, plantations, and agricultural areas where dense thickets and scattered trees provide sufficient cover and foraging opportunities.

Comportements & Reproduction

These birds are highly social and are typically observed in small, active groups or pairs, moving through forest edges and clearings. Males are notably conspicuous, frequently perching in the open to vocalize and defend their territory. Their social structure is characterized by gregariousness outside the peak breeding season, though they become fiercely territorial once a nesting site is established. During courtship, the male performs elaborate visual displays to attract a mate, often fluffing his feathers to highlight the brilliant, contrasting colors of his lower back. They typically form monogamous pairs and construct compact, cup-shaped nests hidden within dense vegetation. The female usually lays two eggs, and while she performs the majority of the incubation, both parents are actively involved in feeding and protecting the chicks until they reach independence.

Alimentation

The Flame-rumped Tanager sustains itself on an omnivorous diet that leans heavily toward frugivory, consuming a wide array of small berries and fleshy fruits such as those from Cecropia and Miconia trees. To supplement its carbohydrate intake with necessary proteins, it actively hunts for invertebrates, including spiders, beetles, and ants, which it skillfully gleans from the surfaces of leaves or occasionally snatches from the air. An intriguing aspect of its foraging behavior is its high degree of sociality; these birds often join mixed-species flocks to increase their efficiency in locating seasonal food sources. Additionally, they are remarkably opportunistic and have adapted well to human-altered landscapes, frequently visiting garden feeders to feast on cultivated fruits like bananas. This dietary flexibility allows the male Flame-rumped Tanager to maintain its vibrant plumage and high energy levels throughout the humid tropical forests it inhabits.

Couleurs

The male Flame-rumped Tanager features velvety jet-black plumage contrasted sharply by a brilliant, fiery scarlet or orange-red lower back and rump. This bold coloration is complemented by a thick, silvery-blue bill with a black tip and deep red eyes. While its dark body provides some cover in deep shadows, the radiant rump serves primarily as a vibrant signal for social and reproductive displays rather than camouflage.

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