The rufous-throated tanager (Iridosornis rufogularis) is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae (the tanagers). It is native to the Andean region of South America, where it inhabits montane forest habitats.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Thraupidae
- Genus: Iridosornis
- Species: I. rufogularis
- Authority: (Lafresnaye, 1843)
Physical description
The rufous-throated tanager measures approximately 14–15 cm in length. Its plumage is characterized by a bright blue crown and upperparts, a contrasting bright yellow breast, and a distinct rufous (reddish‑brown) throat patch from which its common name derives. The belly is generally pale yellow, and the tail and wings exhibit a mixture of blue and green hues. Sexual dimorphism is minimal, with males and females showing similar coloration.
Distribution and habitat
The species is found along the eastern slopes of the Andes, specifically in Colombia, Ecuador, and northern Peru. It occupies cloud forests and elfin forests at elevations ranging from about 1,800 to 3,200 m (5,900–10,500 ft) above sea level. Within these habitats, the bird prefers dense understory and edges of mossy forests.
Behavior and ecology
- Diet: Primarily frugivorous, feeding on a variety of small berries and other soft fruits. It also consumes insects and other arthropods, especially during the breeding season.
- Foraging: Usually seen alone or in small mixed‑species flocks, moving through the understory and lower canopy.
- Breeding: Information on the breeding biology is limited; however, like other tanagers, it is presumed to build cup‑shaped nests in shrubs or low trees and lay a clutch of 2–3 eggs.
Conservation status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently lists the rufous‑throated tanager as Least Concern. The species is considered relatively common within suitable habitats, though ongoing deforestation and habitat fragmentation in the Andes could potentially affect local populations.
References
- BirdLife International. (2023). Iridosornis rufogularis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2023.
- Schulenberg, T. S., et al. (2007). Birds of Peru. Princeton University Press.
- Clements, J. F., et al. (2022). The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
