Opal-crowned Tanager (Tangara callophrys)

Identification & Behavior: ~14.5 cm (6 in). The Opal-crowned Tanager has blue sides of the head and opal crown and superciliary. The nape and mantle are black with blue wings. The underparts are solid blue. The rump is opal in color. It forages in the canopy of mature forests in the company of mixed species flocks. It is similar to the Opal-rumped Tanager but is distinguished by having an opal forehead and superciliary.

Status: The Opal-crowned Tanager is uncommon and widespread in Amazonia where it is known to range up to 1000 m along the foothill of the Andes. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Tangara de Corona Opalina.

Sub-species: Opal-crowned Tanager (Tangara callophrys), (Cabanis), 1849.

Meaning of Name: Tangara: Tupí name, Tangara= dancer, one who turns and skips, originally used for the manakins, but subsequently (Marcgrave 1648) transferred to other bright finch-like birds.
callophrys: Gr. Kallos, kalos= beauty, beautiful and ophrus, ophruos= eyebrow, brow.

See more of the Family Thraupidae