Scarlet-throated Tanager
Encyclopedia
The Scarlet-throated Tanager (Compsothraupis loricata) is a small passerine bird. It is placed in the tanager
family, although highly aberrant, with some even having suggested that it could be a corvid or icterid
. It is the only member of the genus Compsothraupis.
The Scarlet-throated Tanager is one of the largest tanagers; 21 cm (8½ in) in length and with a weight of 72.5g. Females are entirely black, while males have red throat. It is endemic to north-eastern Brazil
, being almost entirely restriced to the region dominated by Caatinga
. It is often found near water and typically at elevations of 200–1000 m (650–3300 ft). Typically seen in pairs or groups of up to 8 individuals. Has a habit of perching on branches high in trees. Slow-moving. In the breeding season, males fluff the feathers of the back to show off the white bases. The nest is well hidden, and typically placed deep in vegetation or in an abandoned woodpecker
s hole.
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, although highly aberrant, with some even having suggested that it could be a corvid or icterid
Icterid
The Icterids are a group of small to medium-sized, often colorful passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most species have black as a predominant plumage color, often enlivened by yellow, orange or red. The family is extremely varied in size, shape, behavior and coloration...
. It is the only member of the genus Compsothraupis.
The Scarlet-throated Tanager is one of the largest tanagers; 21 cm (8½ in) in length and with a weight of 72.5g. Females are entirely black, while males have red throat. It is endemic to north-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...
, being almost entirely restriced to the region dominated by Caatinga
Caatinga
Caatinga is a type of vegetation, and an ecoregion characterized by this vegetation in the northeastern part of Brazil. The name "Caatinga" is a Tupi word meaning "white forest" or "white vegetation"...
. It is often found near water and typically at elevations of 200–1000 m (650–3300 ft). Typically seen in pairs or groups of up to 8 individuals. Has a habit of perching on branches high in trees. Slow-moving. In the breeding season, males fluff the feathers of the back to show off the white bases. The nest is well hidden, and typically placed deep in vegetation or in an abandoned woodpecker
Woodpecker
Woodpeckers are near passerine birds of the order Piciformes. They are one subfamily in the family Picidae, which also includes the piculets and wrynecks. They are found worldwide and include about 180 species....
s hole.
External links
- Photos and text - arthurgrosset.com