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Photo: © Örjan Sjögren eBird S41667610 Macaulay Library ML 80766761
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Red-shouldered Tanager

Tachyphonus phoenicius
Parlotero Hombrirrojo
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Song

Red-shouldered Tanager

Appearance: The Red-shouldered Tanager is a medium-sized bird with a bright red head, shoulders, and breast, contrasting with a black back and wings. It has a yellow belly and tail, with blue patches on the wings and a black mask around the eyes.
Habitat: This species is found in the humid montane forests of the Andes mountains at elevations between 1000 and 2500 m.
Behavior: Red-shouldered Tanagers are known for their lively and vocal nature, often seen foraging for insects and fruits in the canopy of the forest. They are found in pairs or small groups.
Breeding: The breeding season for Red-shouldered Tanagers occurs between March and June. They build cup-shaped nests in trees and shrubs, laying 2-3 eggs at a time.
Conservation status: The Red-shouldered Tanager is considered to be of Least Concern.
MALE
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Photo: © Örjan Sjögren eBird S41667610 Macaulay Library ML 80766761
FEMALE
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Photo : © Lorenzo Calcaño eBird S53472935 Macaulay Library ML 174586871

Distribution

The Red-shouldered Tanager is a bird species found in the eastern regions in the departments of Meta, Vichada, Guainía, Guaviare, Vaupés, and in northern Amazonas.

Taxonomy

The Red-shouldered Tanager(Tachyphonus phoenicius)
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Aves (Birds)
  • Order: Passeriformes
  • Family: Thraupidae
  • Genus: Tachyphonus 
  • Species: Tachyphonus phoenicius

Vocalization

The Red-shouldered Tanager's vocalization is a series of clear, melodious whistles, often with a descending or ascending pattern. The song is repeated several times in a row and is a beautiful and distinctive sound in the tropical forests where this bird is found.