Tanagers and Allies Thraupidae
There are 62 genera, of which 16 are thus far described below.
Of the 271 species within the family, 2 are critically endangered, 6 are considered
endangered. Another 14 species are listed as vulnerable, and 16 others are
near-threatened. Tanagers and Allies are restricted to the New World, with the majority of species found in South America.
Mitrospingus
There are 2 members of this genus.
The Dusky-faced Tanager Mitrospingus cassinii is found in lowlands and foothills from eastern Costa Rica, south to western Ecuador. Small,
noisy parties usually travel together in dense cover near streams. This individual was photographed in the grounds of the Hotel Gavilan, near La Selva,
Heredia, Costa Rica, June 2007.
Eucometis
This is the only member of the genus.
Grey-headed Tanagers Eucometis penicillata have a large distributional range from southern Mexico,
south to Bolivia and Brazil. They are found in understorey of lowland and foothill humid woodlands and forest. They regularly follow army ant swarms.
This bird was photographed at the Rincon de la Vieja National Park, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, June 2007.
Tachyphonus
There are 8 species in this genus.
The Tawny-crested Tanager Tachyphonus delatrii ranges from eastern Honduras, south to western Ecuador.
They inhabit subtropical and tropical moist lowland and montane forests. This male was photographed near Puerto Viejo, Limon, Costa Rica, June 2007.
Ramphocelus
There are 9 species in this genus.
A male Passerini's Tanager Ramphocelus passerinii at Puerto de Viejo, Limon, Costa Rica, June 2007.
A female Cherrie's Tanager Ramphocelus costaricensis near San Vito, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, April 2009.
Crimson-collared Tanager Ramphocelus sanguinolentus near Volcan Arenal, Costa Rica, April 2009.
Thraupis
There are 9 species in this genus. The Azure-shouldered Tanager Thraupis cyanoptera is near-threatened.
The Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum is common in a wide variety of habitats from eastern Nicaragua, south to Paraguay and southern Brazil.
This individual was photographed in the grounds of the Hotel Gavilan, near La Selva, Heredia, Costa Rica, June 2007.
Tangara
There are 49 species in this genus.
Speckled Tanager Tangara guttata near San Isidro del General, Costa Rica, April 2009.
Bay-headed Tanager Tangara palmarum at the Wilson botanical garden, near San Vito, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, April 2009.
Spangle-cheeked Tanager Tangara dowii at Savegre, Cerro de la Muerte, San Jose, Costa Rica, March 2009.
Silver-throated Tanager Tangara icterocephala at Savegre, Cerro de la Muerte, San Jose, Costa Rica, March 2009.
Golden-hooded Tanager Tangara larvata at the Wilson botanical garden, near San Vito, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, April 2009.
Dacnis
There are 9 species in this genus.
A male Scarlet-thighed Dacnis Dacnis venusta at the Wilson botanical garden, near San Vito, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, April 2009.
Conirostrum
There are 10 species in this genus. The Tamarugo Conebill Conirostrum tamarugense is vulnerable.
The Bicolored Conebill Conirostrum bicolor is locally common in coastal mangroves on the Atlantic coast from Colombia to eastern Brazil.
They are slso found on river islands with open woodlands and shrubs along the Amazon and the Rio Napo.
This male was photographed at the Caroni Swamp, Trinidad, January 2008.
Diglossa
There are 18 species in this genus.
Slaty Flowerpiercer Diglossa plumbea at Savegre, Cerro de la Muerte, San Jose, Costa Rica, March 2009.
Chlorospingus
There are 9 species in this genus.
Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus pileatus at Savegre, Cerro de la Muerte, San Jose, Costa Rica, March 2009.
Common Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus at Savegre, Cerro de la Muerte, San Jose, Costa Rica, March 2009.
Piranga
White-winged Tanager Piranga leucoptera at El Cielo, near Gomez Farias, Tamaulipas, Mexico, March 2009.
Flame-colored Tanager Piranga bidentata near Savegre, Cerro de la Muerte, San Jose, Costa Rica, March 2009.
The Hepatic Tanager Piranga flava ranges from the southwestern USA, south to central Argentina. One South American form found in
montane northern and western South America, may infact be a seperate species the "Highland Hepatic-Tanager Piranga lutea".
This male Hepatic Tanager was photographed at Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area, Show Low, Arizona, June 2006.
Habia
There are 5 species in this genus. The Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager Habia atrimaxillaris is endangered and the Sooty
Ant-Tanager Habia gutturalis is near-threatened.
Red-crowned Ant-Tanagers Habia rubica are the most widespread member of their genus. They have a disjunct range from eastern Mexico,
south to southeastern
Brazil. They are common to locally fairly common in the undergrowth of lowland humiid forests and forest borders. This male was photographed
at the Asa Wright nature centre, Arima Valley, Trinidad, January 2008.
Phaenicophilus
There are 2 species within this genus, both of which are endemic to Hispaniola. The Grey-crowned Palm-Tanager Phaenicophilus poliocephalus
is near-threatened.
The Black-crowned Palm-Tanager Phaenicophilus palmarum is generally common in lowlands and occasionally in highlands across the Dominican
Republic and Haiti. This individual was photographed at the botanical gardens in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, January 2007.
Euphonia
There are 27 species in this genus.
A male Yellow-throated Euphonia Euphonia hirundinacea at Hacienda Baru, near Dominical, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, April 2009.
A male Violaceous Euphonia Euphonia hirundinacea at the Asa Wright nature center, Triidad, January 2009.
The Antillean Euphonia Euphonia musica is endemic to the West Indies islands of Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, and the Lesser Antilles.
They are found in dense forests from dry lowlands to wet mountain tops. They are especially fond of mistletoe. This male
was photographed above Puerto Escondido, near Duverge, Dominican Republic, January 2007.
Cyanerpes
There are 4 members of this genus.
The Purple Honeycreeper Cyanerpes caeruleus ranges from extreme eastern Panama, south to northern Bolivia and western Amazonian Brazil.
They are fairly common to locally common in canopy and borders of mainly lowland humid forests and adjacent secondary growth woodland. This male of the
"longirostris" race with a longer bill was photographed at the Asa Wright nature centre, Arima Valley, Trinidad, January 2008.
Chlorophanes
This is the only member of the genus
The Green Honeycreeper Chlorophanes spiza ranges from southern Mexico, south through Central and South America, to coastal eastern Brazil.
They are fairly common in canopy and borders of humid forests and secondary growth woodland. This magnificent male
was photographed at the Asa Wright nature centre, Arima Valley, Trinidad, January 2008.
PASSERINES