Tanager

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Template:Short description Template:For {{#invoke:other uses|otheruses}} Template:Distinguish Template:Use American English Template:Automatic taxobox The tanagers (singular Template:IPAc-en) comprise the bird family Thraupidae, in the order Passeriformes. The family has a Neotropical distribution and is the second-largest family of birds. It represents about 4% of all avian species and 12% of the Neotropical birds.<ref name=burns2014/>

Traditionally, the family contained around 240 species of mostly brightly colored fruit-eating birds.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> As more of these birds were studied using modern molecular techniques, it became apparent that the traditional families were not monophyletic. Euphonia and Chlorophonia, which were once considered part of the tanager family, are now treated as members of the Fringillidae, in their own subfamily (Euphoniinae). Likewise, the genera Piranga (which includes the scarlet tanager, summer tanager, and western tanager), Chlorothraupis, and Habia appear to be members of the family Cardinalidae,<ref name= YM2002>Template:Cite journal</ref> and have been reassigned to that family by the American Ornithological Society.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Template:TOC limit

DescriptionEdit

Tanagers are small to medium-sized birds. The shortest-bodied species, the white-eared conebill, is Template:Convert long and weighs Template:Convert, barely smaller than the short-billed honeycreeper. The longest, the magpie tanager is Template:Convert and weighs Template:Convert. The heaviest is the white-capped tanager, which weighs Template:Convert and measures about Template:Convert. Both sexes are usually the same size and weight.

Tanagers are often brightly colored, but some species are black and white. Males are typically more brightly colored than females and juveniles. Most tanagers have short, rounded wings. The shape of the bill seems to be linked to the species' foraging habits.

DistributionEdit

Tanagers are restricted to the Western Hemisphere and mainly to the tropics. About 60% of tanagers live in South America, and 30% of these species live in the Andes. Most species are endemic to a relatively small area.

BehaviorEdit

Most tanagers live in pairs or in small groups of three to five individuals. These groups may consist simply of parents and their offspring. These birds may also be seen in single-species or mixed flocks. Many tanagers are thought to have dull songs, though some are elaborate.Template:Citation needed

DietEdit

Tanagers are omnivorous, and their diets vary by genus. They have been seen eating fruits, seeds, nectar, flower parts, and insects. Many pick insects off branches or from holes in the wood. Other species look for insects on the undersides of leaves. Yet others wait on branches until they see a flying insect and catch it in the air. Many of these particular species inhabit the same areas, but these specializations alleviate competition.

BreedingEdit

The breeding season is March through June in temperate areas and in September through October in South America. Some species are territorial, while others build their nests closer together. Little information is available on tanager breeding behavior. Males show off their brightest feathers to potential mates and rival males. Some species' courtship rituals involve bowing and tail lifting.

Most tanagers build cup nests on branches in trees. Some nests are almost globular. Entrances are usually built on the side of the nest. The nests can be shallow or deep. The species of the tree in which they choose to build their nests and the nests' positions vary among genera. Most species nest in an area hidden by very dense vegetation. No information is yet known regarding the nests of some species.

The clutch size is three to five eggs. The female incubates the eggs and builds the nest, but the male may feed the female while she incubates. Both sexes feed the young. Five species have helpers assist in feeding the young. These helpers are thought to be the previous year's nestlings.

TaxonomyEdit

The family Thraupidae was introduced (as the subfamily Thraupinae) in 1847 by German ornithologist Jean Cabanis. The type genus is Thraupis.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

The family Thraupidae is a member of an assemblage of over 800 birds known as the New World, nine-primaried oscines. The traditional pre-molecular classification was largely based on the different feeding specializations. Nectar-feeders were placed in Coerebidae (honeycreepers), large-billed seed-eaters in Cardinalidae (cardinals and grosbeaks), smaller-billed seed-eaters in Emberizidae (New World finches and sparrows), ground-foraging insect-eaters in Icteridae (blackbirds) and fruit-eaters in Thraupidae.<ref name=burns2014/> This classification was known to be problematic as analyses using other morphological characteristics often produced conflicting phylogenies.<ref name=klicka2007/> Beginning in the last decade of the 20th century, a series of molecular phylogenetic studies led to a complete reorganization of the traditional families. Thraupidae now includes large-billed seed eaters, thin-billed nectar feeders, and foliage gleaners as well as fruit-eaters.<ref name=burns2014/>

One consequence of redefining the family boundaries is that for many species their common names are no longer congruent with the families in which they are placed. As of July 2020 there are 39 species with "tanager" in the common name that are not placed in Thraupidae. These include the widely distributed scarlet tanager and western tanager, which are both now placed in Cardinalidae. There are also 106 species within Thraupidae that have "finch" in their common name.<ref name=ioc/>

A molecular phylogenetic study published in 2014 revealed that many of the traditional genera were not monophyletic.<ref name=burns2014>Template:Cite journal</ref> In the resulting reorganization six new genera were introduced, eleven genera were resurrected, and seven genera were abandoned.<ref name=burns2016>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=ioc>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

As of March 2025 the family contains 393 species which are divided into 15 subfamilies and 105 genera.<ref name=burns2014/><ref name=ioc/> For a complete list, see the article List of tanager species.

List of generaEdit

CatamblyrhynchinaeEdit

The plushcap has no close relatives and is now placed in its own subfamily. It was previously placed either in the subfamily Catamblyrhynchinae within the Emberizidae or in its own family Catamblyrhynchidae.<ref name=burns2014/>

Image Genus Species
File:Plush-capped Finch - Colombia S4E1689 (22623276893).jpg Catamblyrhynchus Template:Small

CharitospizinaeEdit

The coal-crested finch is endemic to the grasslands of Brazil and has no close relatives. It is unusual in that both sexes have a crest. It was formerly placed in Emberizidae.

Image Genus Species
File:Charitospiza eucosma - Coal-crested Finch.jpg Charitospiza Template:Small

OrchesticinaeEdit

Two species with large thick bills. Parkerthraustes was formerly placed in Cardinalidae.

Image Genus Species
File:Brown Tanager - Itatiaia - Brazil MG 0161 (23224278996).jpg Orchesticus Template:Small
File:Yellow-shouldered Grosbeak.jpg Parkerthraustes Template:Small

NemosiinaeEdit

Brightly colored, sexually dichromatic birds. Most form single-species flocks.

Image Genus Species
File:Nemosia pileata.jpg Nemosia Template:Small
File:Cyanicterus cyanicterus - Blue-backed Tanager (female); Ramal do Pau Rosa, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.jpg Cyanicterus Template:Small
File:Sericossypha albocristata Pollo de monte White-capped Tanager (11198228383).jpg Sericossypha Template:Small
File:Compsothraupis loricata Scarlet-throated Tanager (female); Januária, Minas Gerais, Brazil.jpg Compsothraupis Template:Small

EmberizoidinaeEdit

Grassland dwelling birds that were formerly placed in Emberizidae.

Image Genus Species
File:Coryphospiza melanotis - Black-masked Finch; Serra da Canastra National Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil.jpg Coryphaspiza Template:Small
File:Embernagra longicauda - Pale-throated Pampa-Finch; Brumadinho, Minas Gerais, Brazil.jpg Embernagra Template:Small
File:Emberizoides herbicola -Piraju, Brasil -nature reserve-8a.jpg Emberizoides Template:Small

PorphyrospizinaeEdit

Yellow billed birds. The blue finch (Rhopospina caerulescens) was formerly placed in Cardinalidae; the other species were formerly placed in Emberizidae.

Image Genus Species
File:GreatInca-Finch.jpg Incaspiza Template:Small
File:Mourning Sierra Finch (Rhopospina fruticeti), Colca Canyon, Peru.jpg Rhopospina Template:Small

HemithraupinaeEdit

These species are sexually dichromatic and many have yellow and black plumage. Except for Heterospingus, they have slender bills.

Image Genus Species
File:Green honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza spiza) male.jpg Chlorophanes Template:Small
File:Iridophanes pulcherrimus - Golden-collared Honeycreeper; Ecuador.jpg Iridophanes Template:Small
File:Chrysothlypis salmoni - Scarlet-and-White Tanager.jpg Chrysothlypis Template:Small
File:Scarlet-browed Tanager (Heterospingus xanthopygius (8079749074).jpg Heterospingus Template:Small
File:Hemithraupis ruficapilla.jpg Hemithraupis Template:Small

DacninaeEdit

Sexually dichromatic species—males have blue plumage and females are green.

Image Genus Species
File:Tersina viridis -Registro, Sao Paulo, Brazil -male-8.jpg Tersina Template:Small
File:Red-legged Honeycreeper - Panama H8O2103 (23250437695).jpg Cyanerpes Template:Small
File:Dacnis cayana -Vale do Ribeira, Registro, Sao Paulo, Brasil-8.jpg Dacnis Template:Small

SaltatorinaeEdit

Mainly arboreal with long tails and thick bills. Formerly placed in Cardinalidae.

Image Genus Species
File:Saltatricula multicolor - Many-colored Chaco Finch.jpg Saltatricula Template:Small
File:Saltator maximus Saltador ajicero Buff-throated Saltator (8447037135).jpg Saltator Template:Small

CoerebinaeEdit

This subfamily includes Darwin's finches that are endemic to the Galápagos Islands and Cocos Island. Most of these species were formerly placed in Emberizidae; the exceptions are the bananaquit that was placed in Parulidae and the orangequit that was placed in Thraupidae. These species build domed or covered nests with side entrances. They have evolved a variety of foraging techniques, including nectar-feeding (Coereba, Euneornis), seed-eating (Geospiza, Loxigilla, Tiaris), and insect gleaning (Certhidea).<ref name=burns2014/>

Image Genus Species
File:Coereba flaveola (Mielero común) - Flickr - Alejandro Bayer (13).jpg Coereba Template:Small
File:Yellow-faced-grassquit-eating-seeds.jpg Tiaris Template:Small
File:Orangequit male RWD4.jpg Euneornis Template:Small
File:Cuban bullfinch (Melopyrrha nigra nigra).JPG Melopyrrha Template:Small
File:Yellow-shouldered Grassquit (Loxipasser anoxanthus) Illustrations of the birds of Jamaica (1849).jpg Loxipasser Template:Small
File:Tiaris canorus -Canberra Walk In Aviary, Australia-8a.jpg Phonipara Template:Small
File:Lesser Antillean Bullfinch RWD6.jpg Loxigilla Template:Small
File:Melanospiza richardsoni 22917595 (cropped).jpg Melanospiza Template:Small
File:CIGARRA-DO-COQUEIRO (Tiaris fuliginosus).jpg Asemospiza Template:Small

Darwin's finches:

Image Genus Species
File:Certhidea olivacea - Green Wabler Finch.jpg Certhidea Template:Small
File:Platyspiza crassirostris (8500652538).jpg Platyspiza Template:Small
File:Pinaroloxias inornata P1150966a.jpg Pinaroloxias Template:Small
File:MTF male.jpg Camarhynchus Template:Small
File:Large ground finch (4229035966).jpg Geospiza Template:Small

TachyphoninaeEdit

Most of these are lowland species. Many have ornamental features such as crests, and many have sexually dichromatic plumage.<ref name=burns2014/>

Image Genus Species
File:Tiziu.jpg Volatinia Template:Small
File:Conothraupis speculigera - Black-and-white Tanager - male (cropped).jpg Conothraupis Template:Small
File:Creurgops verticalis.jpg Creurgops Template:Small
File:Eucometis penicillata -Manizales, Caldas, Colombia-8.jpg Eucometis Template:Small
File:Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos Mateus de Mattos Sales (01) 04.jpg Trichothraupis Template:Small
File:Heliothraupis oneilli (51648767088).jpg Heliothraupis Template:Small
File:Tie-galo( Tachyphonus cristatus ).jpg Loriotus Template:Small
File:Coryphospingus cucullatus -Piraju, Sao Paulo, Brazil-8 (1).jpg Coryphospingus Template:Small
File:White-lined tanager (Tachyphonus rufus) male.jpg Tachyphonus Template:Small
File:Crimson-breasted FinchRWD12g.jpg Rhodospingus Template:Small
File:Black-throated Shrike-Tanager, Lanio aurantius (cropped).jpg Lanio Template:Small
File:850 4729 - Flickr - Weng Kong Koh.jpg Ramphocelus Template:Small

SporophilinaeEdit

These species were formerly placed in Emberizidae.

Image Genus Species
File:Sporophila hypoxantha.jpg Sporophila Template:Small

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PoospizinaeEdit

Some of these species were formerly placed in Emberizidae.

Image Genus Species
File:Cinereous Finch.jpg Piezorina Template:Small
File:Xenospingus concolor - Slender-billed Finch; Ica, Peru.jpg Xenospingus Template:Small
File:Cnemoscopus rubrirostris.jpg Cnemoscopus Template:Small
File:Hemispingus verticalis Hemispingus tiznado Black-headed Hemispingus (8743055392).jpg Pseudospingus Template:Small
File:Poospiza whitii - Black-and-chestnut Warbling Finch; San Luis, Argentina.jpg Poospiza Template:Small
File:Kleinothraupis atropileus - Black-capped Hemispingus (cropped).jpg Kleinothraupis Template:Small
File:Oleaginous Hemispingus, Abra la Esperanza, Huancabamba District, Peru 1.jpg Sphenopsis Template:Small
File:Thlypopsis pectoralis - Brown-flanked Tanager; Huanuco, Peru.jpg Thlypopsis Template:Small
File:Bay-chested Warbling-Finch - REGUA - Brazil S4E1798 (23391905915).jpg Castanozoster Template:Small
File:MONTERITA-CABEZA-GRIS-Donacospiza-albifrons.jpg Donacospiza Template:Small
File:Cypsnagra hirundinacea - White-rumped Tanager; Serra da Canastra National Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil.jpg Cypsnagra Template:Small
File:Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch (Poospiza caesar).jpg Poospizopsis Template:Small
File:Black-backed Bush Tanager.jpg Urothraupis Template:Small
File:Nephelornis oneilli - Pardusco (cropped).jpg Nephelornis Template:Small
File:Poospiza lateralis -Extrema, Minas Gerais, Brazil-8.jpg Microspingus Template:Small

DiglossinaeEdit

This is a morphologically diverse group that includes seed-eaters (Nesospiza, Sicalis, Catamenia, Haplospiza), arthropod feeders (Conirostrum), a bamboo specialist (Acanthidops), an aphid feeder (Xenodacnis), and boulder field specialists (Idiopsar). Many species live at high altitudes. Conirostrum was previously placed in Parulidae, Diglossa was placed in Thraupidae, and the remaining genera were placed in Emberizidae.<ref name=burns2014/>

Image Genus Species
File:Conirostrum rufum.jpg Conirostrum Template:Small
File:Saffron finch (Sicalis flaveola) male.JPG Sicalis Template:Small

Template:Collapsible list

File:Phrygilus punensis -near Cusco, Peru-8.jpg Phrygilus Template:Small
File:Nesospiza acunhae -Inaccessible Island-8.jpg Nesospiza Template:Small
File:Gough Bunting Male (cropped).JPG Rowettia Template:Small
File:Yellow-bridled Finch (Melanodera xanthogramma) (15341916183).jpg Melanodera Template:Small
File:Plumbeous Sierra-finch.jpg Geospizopsis Template:Small
File:Haplospiza-rustica-002.jpg Haplospiza Template:Small
File:Acanthidops bairdii - Peg-billed Finch - Poas Volcano, Costa Rica - 7-23-2012 - Brad Weinert (7984324459).jpg Acanthidops Template:Small
File:Tit-like-dacnis.jpg Xenodacnis Template:Small
File:Phrygilus dorsalis Red-backed Sierra Finch (cropped).JPG Idiopsar Template:Small
File:Paramo seedeater.jpg Catamenia Template:Small
File:Black flowerpiercer GC.jpg Diglossa Template:Small

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ThraupinaeEdit

Typical tanagers.

Image Genus Species
File:Calochaetes coccineus - Vermilion Tanager (cropped).jpg Calochaetes Template:Small
File:Iridosornis rufivertex.jpg Iridosornis Template:Small
File:Thraupis bonariensis -Piraju, Sao Paulo, Brazil-8.jpg Rauenia Template:Small
File:Pipraeidea melanonota, Saíra-viúva, Fawn-breasted Tanager (cropped).jpg Pipraeidea Template:Small
File:Rufous-bellied Saltator (Saltator rufiventris) (8077568246).jpg Pseudosaltator Template:Small
File:Dubusia taeniata Tangara diadema Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager (8414444391).jpg Dubusia Template:Small
File:Buthraupis montana (Azulejo real) (16394162371).jpg Buthraupis Template:Small
File:Thraupis cyanocephala -Parque Nacional El Avila, Caracas, Venezuela-8.jpg Sporathraupis Template:Small
File:Masked Mountain-Tanager - Ecuador S4E4582 (23224210656).jpg Tephrophilus Template:Small
File:Chlorornis riefferii.jpg Chlorornis Template:Small
File:Cnemathraupis aureodorsalis Golden-backed Mountain-tanager.jpg Cnemathraupis Template:Small
File:Anisognathus igniventris by Francesco Veronesi.jpg Anisognathus Template:Small
File:Multicolored tanager chicoral.jpg Chlorochrysa Template:Small
File:Wetmorethraupis sterrhopteron - Orange-throated Tanager (cropped).jpg Wetmorethraupis Template:Small
File:Bangsia aureocincta by Franscesco Veronesi.jpg Bangsia Template:Small
File:Lophospingus pusillus en el Parque Nacional Teniente Enciso (cropped).jpg Lophospingus Template:Small
File:Neothraupis fasciata - Shrike-like Tanager.JPG Neothraupis Template:Small
File:Diuca diuca diuca.jpg Diuca Template:Small
File:Gubernatrix cristata - Yellow cardinal (male); Iberá marshes, Corrientes, Argentina.jpg Gubernatrix Template:Small
File:Cardenal Azul.JPG Stephanophorus Template:Small
File:Magpie Tanager - Manu NP - Perù 8577 (22954466240).jpg Cissopis Template:Small
File:Bico-de-veludo (Schistochlamys ruficapillus) no Parque Nacional da Serra da Canastra.jpg Schistochlamys Template:Small
File:Paroaria coronata -Koke'e State Park, Hawaii, USA-8.jpg Paroaria Template:Small
File:Tangara punctata -captive-8a.jpg Ixothraupis Template:Small
File:Golden-naped tanager (47057750234).jpg Chalcothraupis Template:Small
File:Poecilostreptus palmeri - Gray-and-gold Tanager (cropped).jpg Poecilostreptus Template:Small
File:Thraupis-episcopus-001.jpg Thraupis Template:Small
File:Tangara heinei Tángara capirotada Black-capped Tanager (male) (10937083674).jpg Stilpnia Template:Small

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File:Tangara xanthocephala by Francesco Veronesi.jpg Tangara Template:Small

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Genera formerly placed in ThraupidaeEdit

Passerellidae – New World sparrows<ref name=barker2013>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Cardinalidae – cardinals<ref name=burns2003>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=klicka2007>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Fringillidae – subfamily Euphoniinae

Phaenicophilidae – Hispaniolan tanagers<ref name=barker2013/><ref name=barker2015>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Mitrospingidae – Mitrospingid tanagers<ref name=barker2013/>

Nesospingidae

  • Nesospingus – Puerto Rican tanager<ref name=barker2013/><ref name=barker2015/>

Spindalidae

  • Spindalis – four species - spindalises<ref name=barker2013/><ref name=barker2015/>

Calyptophilidae

  • Calyptophilus – two species - chat-tanagers<ref name=barker2013/><ref name=barker2015/>

Rhodinocichlidae

  • Rhodinocichla – rosy thrush-tanager<ref name=barker2013/><ref name=barker2015/>

ReferencesEdit

Template:Reflist

Further readingEdit

  • {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}

External linksEdit

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