The
tanager family of birds is a big confusing nest of birds. It used to be one big family and by that I mean roughly 4% of the world's birds were in the family. It's too complicated to describe, here, so in this gallery, you'll find birds that have the word
tanager in their name even though the Pirangas, Chlorothraupis and Habia are now cardinals.
Tanager Wiki The
tanagers comprise the bird family Thraupidae, in the order Passeriformes. The Thraupidae are the second-largest family of birds and represent about 4% of all avian species and 12% of the Neotropical birds. Traditionally, about 240 species of tanagers have been described, but the taxonomic treatment of this family's members is currently in a state of flux. As more of these birds are studied using modern molecular techniques, some genera are expected to be relocated elsewhere. Already, species in the genera Euphonia and Chlorophonia, which were once considered part of the tanager family, are now treated as members of Fringillidae, in their own subfamily (Euphoniinae). Likewise, the genera Piranga (which includes the
Scarlet Tanager, S
ummer Tanager, and
Western Tanager), Chlorothraupis, and Habia (Ant-tanagers) appear to be members of the cardinal family and have been reassigned to that family by the American Ornithologists' Union.
Tanagers are small to medium-sized birds. Both sexes are usually the same size and weight.
Tanagers are often brightly colored, but some species are black and white. Birds in their first year are often duller or a different color altogether. Males are typically more brightly colored than females. Most
tanagers have short, rounded wings. The shape of the bill seems to be linked to the species' foraging habits.
Species In my
tanager photography gallery you will find:
Black-capped Tanager, Tangara heinei Bay-headed Tanager, Tangara gyrola Blue-grey Tanager, Thraupis episcopus
Cherrie's Tanager, Ramphocelus costaricensis Crimson-backed Tanager, Ramphocelus dimidiatus Dusky-faced Tanager, Mitrospingus cassinii Flame-rumped Tanager, Ramphocelus flammigerus Golden-hooded Tanager, Tangara larvata Gray-headed Tanager, Eucometis penicillata
Hepatic Tanager, Piranga flava
Palm Tanager, Thraupis palmarum
Passerini's Tanager, Ramphocelus passerinii Plain-coloured Tanager, Tangara inornata Red-throated Ant-tanager, Habia fuscicauda Rufous-bellied Mountain Tanager, Pseudosaltator rufventris.
Scarlett Tanager, Piranga olivacea Scarlet-thighed Dacnis, Dacnis venusta Silver-throated Tanager, Tangara icterocephala
Summer Tanager, Pirangra rubra Tawny-crested Tanager, Tachyphonus delatrii Wedge-tailed Grass Finch, Emberizoides herbicola Collective Noun The collective noun for a group of
tanagers is a "season". Which is rather lame, in my not so humble opinion. I think that "splash" is a much more interesting and complimentary name for the exotic feathered friends, the
tanagers.
I lead workshops around the world and whether it was intended or not, I always find time to make a bird photo or two. Check out
Wildlife Workshops and see if I have a photography workshop that fits your eye.
