Golden Tanager
Tangara arthus
Small tanager found in Andean foothills and subtropical zone from Venezuela to Bolivia. Mostly bright golden-yellow with isolated black ear patch, streaked back, and mostly black wings and tail. Some variation among populations, with northernmost birds showing a chestnut breast band and flanks. Sexes alike; young birds duller yellow. One of the most common tanagers in mixed flocks from around 900–2,200 m, in cloud forest, edges, and gardens.
Taxonomy
The golden tanager was first described as Tangara Arthus by René Lesson in 1840 on the basis of a specimen from Caracas, Venezuela. The generic name Tangara comes from the Tupí word tangara, meaning dancer. The specific name arthus is in honor of Arthus Bertrand, a French bookseller. Golden tanager is the official common name designated by the International Ornithologists' Union (IOC). Other names for the species include "chestnut-breasted tanager".<p>The golden tanager is one of 27 species in the genus Tangara. Within the genus, it is part of a species group with the blue-whiskered tanager, green-and-gold tanager, emerald tanager, silver-throated tanager, saffron-crowned tanager, golden-eared tanager, and flame-faced tanager. In the group, it is sister to a clade formed by the emerald and silver-throated tanagers. This placement is supported by mitochondrial DNA evidence. The following cladogram shows phylogenetic relationships within the species group based on the above study:<p>There are nine recognized subspecies of the golden tanager. The subspecies are differentiated by differences in their appearance and their distribution. All the subspecies excluding arthus are sometimes separated into a distinct species, Tangara aurulenta, on the basis of differences in plumage.
- Scientific name
- Tangara arthus
- Authority
- Lesson, RP, 1832
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Genus
- Tangara
Range and habitat
The golden tanager is found in the Venezuelan Coastal Range in Venezuela and in the Andes in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia at elevations of 700–2,500 m (2,300–8,200 ft), but is most common at elevations of 1,000–1,500 m (3,300–4,900 ft). It inhabits humid montane evergreen forest, as well as forest edges and nearby secondary growth.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Rufous-collared Sparrow
Zonotrichia capensis
Handsomely patterned sparrow from highlands of Chiapas south to temperate South America. Occurs in open and semiopen habitats such as villages, towns, and farmland with hedges and brushy thickets. Feeds on the ground and in bushes, at times in flocks. Note the peaked crown, bold black-and-gray head pattern (though black much reduced in southern populations), bright rusty collar, and black chest patch. Juvenile has ghosting of adult pattern and breast is streaked dusky.
Sooty Tern
Onychoprion fuscatus
This tropical seabird is distinctive among terns with its jet-black back, black cap, and neat white forehead. Immature birds are entirely dark blackish with white spots on wings and a white undertail. Most similar to Bridled Tern, but darker black back, dark undersides of flight feathers, and narrower white edges on tail. Sooty Tern is found in warm tropical waters worldwide. It breeds in colonies on sandy islands, but otherwise usually stays far offshore, and is rarely seen near land except when blown off course by a hurricane.
Black-necked Stork
Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus
Large stately stork with an enormous black bill, black head and neck. Female has yellow eyes. In flight note white belly and mostly white wings with a central black panel, long red/pink legs trailing behind. Immature has darker upperwings. Usually found singly or in pairs around tropical wetlands and ponds.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.