Silver-throated Tanager

Tangara icterocephala

km58 Valle Del Cauca Colombia

Quick Facts

  • Scientific Name: Tangara icterocephala
  • Spanish Name: Tángara goliplateada
  • Family: Thraupidae
  • Known Nicknames: None significant
  • Average Length: 12.5–13.5 cm / 4.9–5.3 in
  • Average Weight: 18–25 g / 0.63–0.88 oz
  • Wingspan: 18–21 cm / 7.1–8.3 in
  • Key Feature: Bright yellow plumage with a distinct silvery-white throat patch and a thin black malar stripe
  • Primary Diet: Omnivore (Primarily Frugivore and Insectivore)
  • Range: Central and South America, from Costa Rica to western Ecuador
  • Habitat: Humid montane forests, mossy evergreen forests, and adjacent clearings
  • Social Structure: Social; typically found in pairs or small family groups, often joining mixed-species foraging flocks
  • Nesting/Breeding: A compact cup nest constructed of moss, liverworts, and spiderwebs, usually hidden in dense foliage
  • Statut de conservation : Préoccupation mineure (LC)
  • Population Trend: Stable

The Silver-throated Tanager (*Tangara icterocephala*) is a small, brilliantly colored songbird that illuminates the humid forest canopies of Central and South America. Most recognizable for its vibrant, golden-yellow plumage, this bird features a striking namesake silvery-white throat patch that is elegantly framed by a narrow black "mustache" line. Its back is intricately patterned with black streaks against a greenish-yellow mantle, while its wings and tail are edged in a contrasting bright emerald green. Often found traveling in lively, mixed-species flocks, this social bird primarily feeds on a diet of fruit and small insects. Its radiant appearance and active, acrobatic movements as it hops through the foliage make it one of the most enchanting sights for birdwatchers in the tropical highlands.

Faits amusants

These vibrant birds are famous for their "hang-and-glean" foraging style, frequently dangling completely upside down to snatch insects from the undersides of leaves. While they primarily feast on fruit, they are highly social and often act as the core members of mixed-species "bird waves," leading dozens of other species through the canopy to find food. Their namesake silver throat is more than just a color; it consists of specialized, scale-like feathers that create a distinct texture compared to their silky yellow plumage. Additionally, unlike many other tropical birds, they are remarkably bold and will often allow humans to approach quite closely while they are busy focused on a particularly ripe berry.

Habitats et répartition

The Silver-throated Tanager is native to the humid highlands of Central and South America, with a range extending from the mountains of Costa Rica and Panama through the Andean regions of Colombia and Ecuador, reaching as far south as northern Peru. It is primarily a resident of the subtropical zone, where it maintains a consistent presence throughout the year across these mountainous corridors. This species inhabits humid montane forests, cloud forests, and forest edges, typically occurring at elevations between 600 and 2,300 meters. It is also well-adapted to semi-open environments, including second-growth woodlands, shaded plantations, and clearings with scattered tall trees. Within these habitats, it is most frequently observed foraging in the middle to upper canopy levels.

Comportements & Reproduction

These birds exhibit highly social behavior, frequently moving in pairs or small family units that often join larger mixed-species foraging flocks within the canopy. They are active foragers, searching for fruit and insects while maintaining contact through thin, high-pitched calls. In their social structure, they demonstrate a cooperative nature, particularly when defending feeding territories or alerting others to potential predators. Reproduction is characterized by monogamous pairing and the construction of sturdy, cup-shaped nests made of moss and liverworts, typically situated several meters above the ground. The breeding process involves the female incubating a clutch of two eggs, while both parents share the responsibility of feeding the young. Interestingly, they sometimes employ a cooperative breeding strategy where immature birds from previous broods assist the parents in raising the current nestlings, a behavior that increases the survival rate of the offspring in competitive tropical environments.

Alimentation

The Silver-throated Tanager maintains an omnivorous diet that predominantly consists of a diverse array of small fruits and berries, with a particular fondness for those from the Melastomataceae family. While fruit makes up the bulk of its nutritional intake, this vibrant bird also actively hunts for insects and spiders, which it skillfully gleans from the undersides of leaves or mossy branches in the forest canopy. An interesting aspect of its feeding behavior is its tendency to forage in restless, mixed-species flocks, where it can be observed acrobatically hanging upside down to reach elusive morsels. Furthermore, these tanagers play a vital ecological role as seed dispersers, often swallowing small fruits whole and passing the seeds through their digestive tracts, thereby assisting in the regeneration of their tropical forest habitats.

Couleurs

The Silver-throated Tanager is characterized by its bright yellow head and body, accented by a namesake silvery-white throat patch often bordered by a thin black line. Its back exhibits bold black and yellow streaking, while the wings and tail are dark with greenish-yellow edges. This vivid coloration facilitates social signaling in the rainforest canopy, with little emphasis on traditional camouflage.