Tanagers & Allies

The tanagers, part of the family Thraupidae within the order Passeriformes, are small to medium-sized Neotropical birds, comprising about 4% of all bird species. These birds are usually brightly colored, with males being more vibrant than females and juveniles. They exhibit a range of bill shapes connected to their varied diets of fruits, seeds, nectar, and insects. Tanagers are typically found in pairs or small groups and can be territorial during their breeding season, which varies depending on their location. Breeding behaviors include males showing off their bright feathers and performing courtship displays like bowing and tail lifting. They build cup or globular shaped nests on branches, with clutch sizes ranging from three to five eggs, where both parents feed the young, occasionally assisted by previous offspring. Taxonomically, tanagers have been reorganized significantly due to molecular studies, leading to the reclassification of some species into different families. Despite some common names no longer matching their taxonomic families, the current Thraupidae family now covers 386 species across 106 genera, divided into 15 subfamilies, and includes a wide variety of feeding behaviors and ecological niches.