Black-faced Tanager (Schistochlamys melanopis)

Identification & Behavior: ~18 cm (7 in). The Black-faced Tanager is all gray with a black mask that extends to the upper breast. Both sexes are similar. The juvenile is olive yellow above and yellow-olive below. It is superficially similar to a Grayish Saltator but is distinguished by having a solid black mask and breast. It favors semi-open habitats, forest edges, and second growth.

Status: The Black-faced Tanager is uncommon and widespread, but rather local on the east slope of the Andes at elevations ranging between 900-1800 m. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Tangara de Cara Negra.

Sub-species: Black-faced Tanager (Schistochlamys melanopis grisea), Cory, 1916.  Extreme S Ecuador, and E Peru on E slope of Andes (very locally from Moyobamba and Huarandosa S to Marcapata).
(S. m. olivina), (P. L. Sclater), 1865.  Extreme SE Peru (Pampas del Heath) and adjacent N Bolivia E to SC Brazil (Mato Grosso).

Meaning of Name: Schistochlamys: L. schistus= slate and khlamus, khlamudos= mantle, cloak.
melanopis: Gr. melas, melanos= black and opos= face, opis= faced, melanopis= black-looking.

See more of the Family Thraupidae