clonejoe | August 18, 2023 | Articles
A bluish-green bird with an orange face can’t help but stand out on the eastern Andes.
Meet the Golden-eared Tanager:
“File:Golden-eared Tanager – ɱaпu NP – Perù 7900 (22954456080).jpg” by Francesco Veronesi from Italy is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
The Golden-eared Tanager (Tangara chrysotis) showcases a brilliant golden forehead and ear patches, delineated beneath by a black malar stripe. Its upperparts exhibit a dusky green hue, while the underparts shimmer in opalescent green, with the belly’s center, vent, and undertail coverts adorned in rufous tones.
“calliste à oreilles d’or, golden-eared tanager, saíra-de-orelha-dourada, tangara orejidorada” by thibaudaronson is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. (cropped)
This distinctive appearance remains consistent across both sexes.
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While resembling the Metallic-Green Tanager, it stands apart due to its unique golden forehead and ear patches, as well as the rufous center of its belly. An additional reference point is the Blue-browed Tanager.
“calliste à oreilles d’or, golden-eared tanager, saíra-de-orelha-dourada, tangara orejidorada” by Julien Renoult is licensed under CC BY 4.0. (cropped)
Status-wise, the Golden-eared Tanager is relatively scarce, primarily inhabiting montane forests on the eastern slopes of the Andes at elevations spanning from 850 to 1600 meters. Its distribution also extends to Colombι̇a, Ecuador, and Bolivia.
“calliste à oreilles d’or, golden-eared tanager, saíra-de-orelha-dourada, tangara orejidorada” by thibaudaronson is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. (cropped)
The species is commonly spotted foraging within the canopy and sub-canopy layers of humid montane forests, often mingling with mixed-species flocks.
“calliste à oreilles d’or, golden-eared tanager, saíra-de-orelha-dourada, tangara orejidorada” by sgene is marked with CC0 1.0.
The Golden-eared Tanager is an omnivore, eating both fruit and arthropods.
“IMG_9126” by gary_leavens is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. (cropped)
Little is known about their breeding behavior, but other tanager species build well-hidden, cup-shaped nests where both parents care for the chicks.