Speckled Tanager

The Speckled Tanager, Ixothraupis guttata, presents itself as a medium-sized passerine, a delightful resident breeder adorned with a unique pattern. The bird's plumage is a tapestry of green with black speckles adorning its upperparts, while its face shines with a yellow hue, accented by a striking black line extending from the eye to the gape. The wings and tail boast a black edge with a green trim, and the underparts are a canvas of white, dotted with black. Both sexes share this similar attire, making them a charming sight to behold.

Identification Tips

When endeavoring to identify the Speckled Tanager, look for the bird's distinctive black spotting on a green backdrop, and the yellow face with the black eye line. The Trinidadian subspecies, I. g. trinitatis, is particularly vibrant, with a more pronounced yellow on the head and more conspicuous black spots. Adults measure at 13.2 cm in length and weigh a mere 18 grams.

Habitat

The Speckled Tanager favors the humid montane and secondary forests, where the trees are not overly tall and the understory is dense. This habitat provides the perfect environment for this subtropical species to thrive.

Distribution

This species has made its home in a range of countries including Costa Rica, Panama, Trinidad, Venezuela, Colombia, Guyana, Suriname, and the northernmost regions of Brazil. Sightings have also been reported in French Guiana.

Behaviour

Social by nature, Speckled Tanagers are often observed in the company of bay-headed tanagers and honeycreepers. They exhibit a preference for fruit, supplemented by occasional insects, as part of their diet.

Song & Calls

The flight call of the Speckled Tanager is a delicate metallic chirping, described as a 'tsip', which can be heard as they navigate their leafy domains.

Breeding

The Speckled Tanager crafts a small cup nest within the branches of a tree. The typical clutch consists of two white eggs, adorned with brown blotches. The devoted female incubates these eggs for 13 days until they hatch, and the fledglings take their first flight after another 15 days.

Similar Species

The Speckled Tanager is often compared to the Spotted Tanager, I. punctata, which resides further south. While they are generally considered to be allopatric, meaning they occupy separate ranges, there is a possibility of parapatry, as evidenced by a Speckled Tanager sighting in close proximity to the known range of the Spotted Tanager in Colombia.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Speckled Tanager is primarily frugivorous, with a penchant for fruit, but they will also partake in insects to balance their diet.

Conservation status

The Speckled Tanager is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating that, for now, this species does not face any immediate threat of extinction.