Rose-throated Tanager
Piranga roseogularis
Uncommon in tropical woodland and forest edge of Yucatan Peninsula, mainly at mid-upper levels where often quiet and overlooked easily. Usually seen singly or in pairs. Rather plain, despite the name. Grayish overall with a broken white eye-ring; male has a rose-pink throat and red wash to the crown, wings, and tail; on the female these areas are washed yellowish.
Identification
The rose-throated tanager is 16 cm (6.3 in) long and weighs 21 to 30 g (0.74 to 1.06 oz). The nominate male's crown and throat are deep rose and the rest of the body shades of gray. The folded wings and tail appear crimson. The female's crown and throat are yellow. The upper parts are yellowish olive and the underparts mostly pale gray to whitish. Its folded wings and tail are yellowish. P. r. tincta has the same color schemes as the nominate but is paler, and P. r. cozumelae is darker.
Taxonomy
American ornithologist Samuel Cabot III described the rose-throated tanager in 1846, having seen a pair in the Yucatán Peninsula and shooting the male. A 2019 genetic study using mitochondrial DNA showed that it was a basal (early offshoot) of a lineage that gave rise to the scarlet, hepatic, summer, western and flame-colored tanagers.<p>The rose-throated tanager and the other species of genus Piranga were originally placed in the family Thraupidae, the "true" tanagers. Since approximately 2008 they have been placed in their current family, the Cardinalidae.<p>The rose-throated tanager has three recognized subspecies, the nominate Piranga roseogularis roseogularis, P. r. tincta, and P. r. cozumelae.
- Scientific name
- Piranga roseogularis
- Authority
- Cabot, S, 1846
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Cardinalidae
- Genus
- Piranga
Range and habitat
The nominate rose-throated tanager is found in the northern, drier, part of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. P. r. tincta is found in the more humid southern part of the peninsula and in northern Guatemala and Belize. P. r. cozumelae is restricted to the islands of Mujeres and Cozumel off the east coast of the peninsula. The species primarily inhabits the edges of semi-humid and humid mature forest and the undergrowth of scrubby forest, although it sometimes is found in areas with scrub and only scattered trees. In elevation it ranges from sea level to 250 m (820 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The rose-throated tanager forages throughout most levels of the forest, in undergrowth, saplings, mid-level, and the canopy. In the last it often joins mixed-species foraging flocks. It has also been observed following army ant swarms. Details of its diet have not been published.<p>No information on the rose-throated tanager's breeding phenology has been published.<p>The rose-throated tanager's song is "a rich warbled 'whee chee cheer-el-chee cheer-el-cheu chee-el-chu...'". Calls include a nasal "rreh" and a mewing "myaaa".
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Golden-sided Euphonia
Euphonia cayennensis
Small tanager-like finch of rainforest canopy. Male usually appears entirely black; golden tufts on sides of chest are diagnostic but can be difficult to see; note jaunty posture and voice. Female is green above and extensively gray below. Feeds on fruit and often follows mixed-species flocks; may call repeatedly from a hidden perch before flying to another distant tree. Female resembles White-lored Euphonia, but has more clean-cut appearance and gray (not yellow) undertail coverts; presence of male should aid identification of female. Most common is call a loud, grating chatter that is distinctive once learned.
Slaty-capped Flycatcher
Leptopogon superciliaris
Small flycatcher with gray cap, black ear patch, and buffy wingbars. Head pattern looks messy. Olive back and pale yellow belly. Most similar to Sepia-capped Flycatcher, but that species has a brown cap (not gray). Also very similar to bristle-tyrants of South America but note buffy wingbars and voice—a commonly heard, explosive “pseek!” sometimes with a sputtering trill at the end. Look for singles or pairs in forests and edges, usually not too high in the trees. Often follows mixed-species flocks.
Black-and-white Mannikin
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Small, big-billed, short-tailed waxbill. Shows profound geographical variation: a rufous back in southeastern Africa, and a black back in central and western Africa. Black-backed birds vary from having white barring on the wings and tail to having completely black wings and tail. Juveniles are very drab and brown but can usually be identified by their association with adults. Found in forest, moist woodland, and gardens, often in patches of seeding grass. Usually in small flocks. Call is a descending “teew”. Similar to Bronze Mannikin but has an all-blue bill and never shows a brown back.
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