Turquoise Tanager (Tangara mexicana)

Identification & Behavior: ~14 cm (5.5 in). The Turquoise Tanager has a blue head, breast, and sides of the belly. The nape and mantle are black. The wings are blue. The underparts are bright yellow. It forages in the canopy of mature forests in the company of mixed species flocks. It is similar to Opal-rumped Tanager but is distinguished by being a lighter blue, and by having a bright yellow belly.

Status: The Turquoise 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 Turquesa.

Sub-species: Turquoise Tanager  (Tangara mexicana boliviana), (Bonaparte), 1851.

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.
mexicana: Afte the country of Mexico (named after Mexitli, the Aztec god of war).

See more of the Family Thraupidae