Backyard BirdsUncategorized

White-lined Tanager

The White-lined Tanagers (Tachyphonus rufus) is a medium-sized Tanager.

Distribution / Habitat

Its range stretches from Costa Rica south to northern Argentina, and on Trinidad and Tobago, where they inhabit semi-open areas, including gardens.

White-lined Tanagers appear to be territorial, as only one nesting pair is usually seen in an area.

Description

White-lined Tanagers average 18.5 cm in length (including their long tails) and weigh around 33 g. Their stout pointed bill is mostly black.

The adult male is glossy black, apart from white underwing coverts and a small white patch on the upperwing. These white patches are mostly conspicuous in flight.

The plumage of females and immatures is rufous, somewhat paler below.

Female

White-lined Tanager

Breeding / Nesting

They build bulky cup nests in trees or shrub. The female lays 2 to 3 brown-blotched cream eggs, which she incubates for 14–15 days.

Tanager InformationTanager SpeciesTanager Species Photo Gallery

Diet

They eat a wide variety of fruit, but especially epiphytes, but also take some nectar and insects, including beetles, ants and grasshoppers.

Calls / Vocalizations

Its call is a fast repetitive cheeru.

On the islands of Trinidad and Tobago, the White-lined Tanager is often called ‘Parson’ (for the male), and ‘Singing Angel’ – in appreciation of its whistling ability.

Male White-lined Tanager
 
 
 

Gordon Ramel

Gordon is an ecologist with two degrees from Exeter University. He's also a teacher, a poet and the owner of 1,152 books. Oh - and he wrote this website.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button