White-shouldered Tanager
NameWhite-shouldered Tanager
Common NameWhite-shouldered Tanager
Scientific NameTachyphonus luctuosus
FamilyThraupidae
Wingspan (cm)19
Length (cm)13.5
Weight (g)16
Plumage DetailsMales are entirely glossy black with a conspicuous white patch on the bend of the wing (shoulder) and a pale bluish-grey bill. Females have olive-green upperparts, yellowish-olive underparts, and lack the white shoulder patch.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include sharp 'chip' notes, often given in a rapid series, and a thin, high-pitched 'tsee' or 'tsip'. The song is a simple, repetitive series of notes.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsforest, urban
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in Central and South America, ranging from Honduras south through Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and into northern South America including Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and western Brazil.
Identifying FeaturesGlossy black plumage (male), Prominent white shoulder patch (male), Pale bluish-grey bill, Olive-green and yellowish plumage (female)
Description
The White-shouldered Tanager is a small, sexually dimorphic passerine. Males are striking with their glossy black plumage and prominent white shoulder patches, while females are olive-green. They are typically found foraging for insects and fruits in the mid-story and canopy of humid forests and clearings.
