Blue-backed Tanager
Cyanicterus cyanicterus
Large, striking tanager of tall rainforest. Combination of size and blue-and-yellow plumage is diagnostic; female is more extensively yellow below, including on face. A generally uncommon resident of undisturbed forest regions; may also be found in shorter-stature forests on sandy soils, but is generally absent from disturbed and coastal areas. Usually seen with mixed-species flocks in the canopy. Hops clumsily among branches, gleaning insects from foliage. Distinctive, far-carrying call is two-noted, the second lower-pitched.
Taxonomy
The blue-backed tanager was formally described in 1819 by the French ornithologist Louis Pierre Vieillot under the binomial name Pyranga cyanicterus. The type locality is Cayenne in French Guiana. This species is now the only member of the genus Cyanicterus that was introduced by Charles Lucien Bonaparte in 1850. The word cyanicterus is formed from the Ancient Greek kuanos meaning "dark-blue" and ikteros meaning "jaundice-yellow". The blue-backed tanager is monotypic: no subspecies are recognised.
- Scientific name
- Cyanicterus cyanicterus
- Authority
- (Vieillot, 1819)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Genus
- Cyanicterus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Arremon semitorquatus
Boldly-patterned sparrow found in the understory of humid forest and second growth; usually difficult to see. Note the bicolored bill (black above and bright yellow below) and black patches on either side of the breast. The black head contrasts with a narrow white eyebrow and gray nape. Olive-green above and largely white below with gray flanks. Listen for a high-pitched “tzee–tzeuuu-tzeeuuu” and a metallic “tic.”
Silvery-throated Spinetail
Synallaxis subpudica
A typical-looking spinetail with a very restricted range in central Colombia. Gray-brown overall with a rusty or rufous crown and wings, and a long, spiky grayish tail. Throat looks dark, not silvery. Fairly common in forests, edges, and thickets from around 2,000 to 3,200 m. Skulking and fairly difficult to see. Compare with Azara’s Spinetail, which has a rufous tail. Listen for long descending chatters and chip calls.
White-rumped Swallow
Tachycineta leucorrhoa
A small swallow usually seen flying low over open and semiopen areas near water. Glossy blue-green above and white below. Note the white forehead and rump. Similar to White-winged Swallow, but lacks white in wings (although juvenile White-winged can show limited white). Told from Chilean Swallow by the presence of a white forehead.
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