Birding in South America can lead you to a plethora of beautiful bird species. Among those species is a vibrantly-colored bird and somewhat mysterious bird known as the Paradise Tanager. Not much is known about these beautiful birds of the rainforest, but we have put together as many facts about Paradise Tanagers as we could find.
Facts About Paradise Tanagers
As a native bird to South America, the Paradise Tanager is most commonly seen in the Northern section of the continent. Although these birds are pretty common in their native areas, they have not been heavily researched and scientists are hoping to learn more about these special birds.
Here are some interesting facts about the Paradise Tanager for birder lovers who want to learn more about this beautiful species.
1. Paradise Tanagers are vibrantly multicolored
Paradise Tanagers are most notably known for their vibrantly-colored plumage. Their black wings, beak, nape and tail provide the perfect contrasting background for their otherwise neon-like colors.
They sport a bright yellow-green mask across their face and eyes, a purple throat, bright blue chest and belly, and red or yellow patch on their lower back.
It’s also notoriously difficult to distinguish between male and female Paradise Tanagers as they look almost identical to each other. Unlike some other birds, males and females have the same coloring.
2. Paradise Tanagers are native to South America
Paradise Tanagers are non-migratory and are native to several countries in South America. Despite their scientific name Tangara chilensis, you won’t find them in Chile. Where you will see these colorful birds is humid tropical and subtropical forests in Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador and Brazil.
3. There are four subspecies of Paradise Tanagers
The Paradise Tanager consists of four subspecies. These subspecies are caelicolor, chilensis, chlorocorys, and paridisea. The most commonly found Paradise Tanager is among the chilensis subspecies.
Each subspecies can be distinguished its location, and some have very slightly different coloring such as a red back versus a yellow and red back.