Brown Tanager
Encyclopedia
The Brown Tanager Orchesticus abeillei is a small passerine bird and a member of the tanager
family. It is the only member of the genus Orchesticus.
The Brown Tanager is c. 17 cm (6½ in) in length and weighs c. 31.5 g. As suggested by its name, the plumage
is overall brown. The bill is relatively thick. It is endemic to humid Atlantic forest of south-eastern Brazil
at altitudes of 900–1500 m (2950–4900 ft). It forages in the canopy
and is typically seen in pairs. It is generally uncommon, but known from several protected areas, such as the Itatiaia National Park
.
It will catch insects in the air; in a manner often referred to as sallying
. It will also take insects directly off plants.
It lays 2 eggs with a pinkish hue. The larger end of the egg is speckled with brown and lavender.
Tanager
The tanagers comprise the bird family Thraupidae, in the order Passeriformes. The family has an American distribution.There were traditionally about 240 species of tanagers, but the taxonomic treatment of this family's members is currently in a state of flux...
family. It is the only member of the genus Orchesticus.
The Brown Tanager is c. 17 cm (6½ in) in length and weighs c. 31.5 g. As suggested by its name, the plumage
Plumage
Plumage refers both to the layer of feathers that cover a bird and the pattern, colour, and arrangement of those feathers. The pattern and colours of plumage vary between species and subspecies and can also vary between different age classes, sexes, and season. Within species there can also be a...
is overall brown. The bill is relatively thick. It is endemic to humid Atlantic forest of south-eastern Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
at altitudes of 900–1500 m (2950–4900 ft). It forages in the canopy
Canopy (forest)
In biology, the canopy is the aboveground portion of a plant community or crop, formed by plant crowns.For forests, canopy also refers to the upper layer or habitat zone, formed by mature tree crowns and including other biological organisms .Sometimes the term canopy is used to refer to the extent...
and is typically seen in pairs. It is generally uncommon, but known from several protected areas, such as the Itatiaia National Park
Itatiaia National Park
Itatiaia National Park , established in 1937, is the oldest national park in Brazil. It is located on the border between Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais states, between 22º16’ - 22º28’ S and 44º34’ - 44º42’ W....
.
It will catch insects in the air; in a manner often referred to as sallying
Hawking (birds)
Hawking is a feeding strategy in birds involving catching flying insects in the air. The term usually refers to a technique of sallying out from a perch to snatch an insect and then returning to the same or a different perch...
. It will also take insects directly off plants.
It lays 2 eggs with a pinkish hue. The larger end of the egg is speckled with brown and lavender.