Opal-rumped Tanager (Tangara velia)

Identification & Behavior: ~14.5 cm (6 in). The Opal-rumped Tanager has a blue head with black crown and mantle. The breast and most of the underparts are blue. It has a black neck band. The rump is opal in color. The center of the belly, vent, and undertail coverts are rufous. It forages in the canopy of mature forest in the company of mixed species flocks. It is similar to the Turquoise Tanager but is distinguished by having a rufous center of the belly and vent, an opal rump, and a black band on the neck.

Status: The Opal-rumped Tanager is uncommon and widespread in Amazonia where it is known to range up to 750 m along the foothill of the Andes. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Tangara de Lomo Opalino.

Sub-species: Opal-rumped Tanager (Tangara velia iridina), (Hartlaub), 1841.

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.
velia: Perhaps a misprint for Sialia, or a mistake for Gr. Elea= small bird mentioned by Aristotle. Also, Vellia local Florentine name for a shrike Lanius.

See more of the Family Thraupidae