The yellow‑winged tanager (Thraupis abbas) is a medium‑sized passerine bird in the family Thraupidae. It is native to tropical and subtropical forested regions of Central and northern South America, where it inhabits forest edges, secondary growth, plantations, and open woodlands.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Thraupidae
- Genus: Thraupis
- Species: T. abbas
The species was first described by Charles Lucien Bonaparte in 1850. The specific epithet abbas is derived from the Arabic word “abbās,” meaning “father,” though the original rationale for the name is not documented.
Physical description
Adult yellow‑winged tanagers are predominantly bright green on the head, back, and underparts. The wings feature a conspicuous yellow patch extending from the median coverts to the outer primary feathers, giving the species its common name. The bill is short and conical, adapted for a primarily frugivorous diet. Both sexes are similar in plumage, though juveniles are duller, with less vivid green and reduced wing coloration.
Distribution and habitat
The bird’s range extends from eastern Honduras and Nicaragua through Costa Rica and Panama, across the Caribbean slopes of Colombia, Venezuela, and the Guianas, and southward into the Amazonian foothills of Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru. It favors open forest interiors, forest clearings, edges, and anthropogenic habitats such as coffee plantations and gardens, typically from sea level up to about 1,500 m elevation.
Behavior and ecology
Yellow‑winged tanagers are highly social, often forming small flocks of 5–15 individuals. They are active foragers, moving through the canopy and understory to feed on a mixed diet of fruit, seeds, and insects. Their foraging technique includes plucking berries from branches and sallying from perches to capture insects in brief aerial pursuits.
Reproduction
The breeding season varies across the range but generally coincides with the onset of the rainy season. Nests are cup‑shaped structures built in the fork of a branch, typically 2–6 m above ground. Clutch size is usually two to three eggs, which are pale bluish‑white with speckles. Both parents participate in incubation, which lasts approximately 13–14 days, and in feeding the nestlings.
Conservation status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the yellow‑winged tanager as Least Concern. The species has a broad distribution and is adaptable to altered habitats, resulting in a stable population trend. Nevertheless, localized habitat loss due to deforestation and agricultural expansion can affect regional populations.
Vocalizations
The vocal repertoire includes a series of high‑pitched, melodious whistles and chatter, often emitted in flight or while perched conspicuously in the canopy. These calls serve both territorial and contact functions within flock members.