White-winged Tanager

The White-winged Tanager, Piranga leucoptera, presents a striking figure in the avian world. This medium-sized songbird, belonging to the family Cardinalidae, is a vibrant spectacle with males donning a predominantly red plumage contrasted by a black "mask" and black wings accented with white bars. Females, while not as vivid, exhibit a more subdued olive-yellow with the same distinctive black wings and white bars. Juveniles mirror the female's coloration but with a paler tone.

Identification Tips

To identify the White-winged Tanager, look for the male's bright red body and black facial mask, which is complemented by black wings featuring prominent white bars. The female is less colorful, with an olive-yellow hue and similar wing markings. The bird measures approximately 13 cm in length and weighs between 13 to 20 grams. Subspecies variations include darker reds and more intense yellows, as well as differences in the width of the white wing bars.

Habitat

This species is quite adaptable, residing in a range of environments from pine-oak forests and shady coffee plantations to humid montane and cloud forests. It also frequents mature secondary forests and can be found at elevations from 100 to 2,100 meters depending on the geographic location.

Distribution

The White-winged Tanager's habitat is fragmented across the Americas, from Mexico through Central America, and into northern South America, extending as far south as Bolivia. Its distribution is divided among four recognized subspecies, each occupying distinct regions within this range.

Behaviour

The White-winged Tanager is known to forage in pairs or small groups, often participating in mixed-species flocks. Its diet consists of fruit, berries, seeds, and likely insects, which it seeks out in the forest canopy or along the forest edge.

Song & Calls

The song of the White-winged Tanager is a delicate and melodic "e-seé-se-whéét," accompanied by a repertoire of calls that add to the acoustic diversity of its habitat.

Breeding

Breeding behaviors are less documented, but observations include a female constructing a small cup nest high upon a mossy branch, suggesting a preference for elevated nesting sites.

Similar Species

While distinct in its appearance, the White-winged Tanager may be confused with other species in the genus Piranga. However, its unique wing pattern and coloration are key differentiators.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the White-winged Tanager is varied, including a mix of fruit, berries, seeds, and insects, which it forages for in the upper levels of the forest.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the White-winged Tanager as Least Concern, indicating a stable population. The bird benefits from a wide distribution, including many protected areas, and much of its habitat remains intact.