Tanangers & Blackbirds

Blue Grey Tanager

Thraupis episcopus

The Blue Grey Tanager is a gorgeous little bird; bright blue fading to a paler colored head. There are many different sub-species ranging in colors from brilliant blues to lavenders or turqouise. In the very blue variations of this little bird, even their beak, legs and feet are blue colored!

They are native to most countries in South America, including parts of Mexico down to Northeast Bolivia and North Brazil and all of the Amazon Basin, except for the Southmost areas. Their diet in the wild consists of fruits, berries, insects and also some nectar. At Luzonica, our tanagers are offered mealworms, Exact pellet diet, Mazuri Insectivour Diet and a variety of fresh fruit daily.

Male Blue Grey Tanager
Photograph © Erin Koski 2010

Saffron Finch

Sicalis flaveola

The Saffron Finch is a small tanager from South America. They are bright yellow with some olive green streaking. Birds may have red-orange feathers or streaks on their head as well. These birds are often kept in homes for their pleasant song. Males can be very aggressive and territorial so this species has also been known to be used by people for blood-sports similar to how roosters may be used!

Yellow-hooded Blackbird

Agelaius icterocephalus

The Yellow-Headed Blackbird is similar in size and shape to our blackbirds in North American, but instead of being mostly or all black, the males have a striking, brilliant yellow head and chest. (The females have a creamy orange-yellow head and chest). Yellow-hooded Blackbirds are found in South America (Columbia, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru and the Guianas) and tend to live near rivers and bodies of water (such as the Amazon river). Their diet includes insects caught near or in the water, grains and seeds.