Tangará Multicolor
Multicolored Tanager
Chlorochrysa nitidissima
Song
Multicolored Tanager
Appearance: The Multicolored Tanager is renowned for its vivid and diverse coloration. It features a brilliant mix of colors, including green, blue, yellow, and orange. The males are colorful, with a bright green body, a yellow face, a blue crown, and a reddish-orange throat and chest. Females are slightly less colorful but still exhibit a similar palette, albeit more subdued.
Habitat: This species inhabits subtropical and tropical moist montane forests. It is found at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,200 m above sea level. The Multicolored Tanager prefers dense, humid forest environments with a rich understory, which provides ample food resources and nesting sites.
Behavior: The Multicolored Tanager is generally a solitary or paired bird, although it may join mixed-species flocks. It is an active forager, primarily feeding on insects, fruit, and nectar. Its feeding behavior involves gleaning insects from leaves and branches and hovering to extract nectar from flowers.
Breeding: Information on the breeding behavior of the Multicolored Tanager is limited. However, like many tanagers, it is presumed to build cup-shaped nests in trees or shrubs. Breeding likely coincides with periods of high food availability, which in montane regions often aligns with the rainy season.
Conservation Status: The Multicolored Tanager is classified as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
MALE
FEMALE
Distribution
The Multicolored Tanager is endemic to Colombia, meaning it is found nowhere else in the world. Its distribution is limited to the western and central Andes of Colombia, particularly within the departments of Antioquia, Caldas, Cauca, Quindío, Risaralda, and Valle del Cauca. Conservation areas and national parks within these regions play a crucial role in protecting the remaining populations of this visually stunning bird.
Taxonomy
The Multicolored Tanager (Chlorochrysa nitidissima)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Thraupidae
- Genus: Chlorochrysa
- Species: Chlorochrysa nitidissima
Vocalization
The Multicolored Tanager is a small, vibrant bird found in the cloud forests of Colombia. Its vocalizations and behaviors are fascinating aspects of its natural history.
The Multicolored Tanager is known for its soft and high-pitched calls. While not as vocally complex as some other bird species, its calls are described as thin and squeaky, often used to communicate with mates or signal alarm. These vocalizations play an essential role in maintaining pair bonds and coordinating activities, such as foraging or nesting.
Purpose
Communication: The primary purpose of their vocalizations is communication. They use calls to maintain contact with their mates, especially during the breeding season, and to alert each other of potential threats.
Territorial Defense: Although not as aggressive as some other species, vocalizations can also serve to establish and defend territory. By calling, they signal their presence to other tanagers, helping to prevent conflicts over resources.
Mate Attraction: During the breeding season, vocalizations can play a role in attracting mates. While their striking plumage is a significant factor in mate selection, vocalizations can complement visual displays to enhance their attractiveness.
Vocalizations and behaviors of the Multicolored Tanager is crucial for conservation efforts, as it provides insights into their social structure and habitat requirements. Protecting their cloud forest habitat is vital for the survival of this and many other unique species.
