#tanager

photographs by Ignacio Yúfera

A Scarlet Tanager, looking a bit wet after a summer storm.

the plushcap is a member of the tanager family and the only member of their genus, catamblyrhynchus; previously, they were grouped in their own family. they are found from venezuela to northwestern argentina. plushcaps are unique in appearance and differ greatly from other tanager species. they have a broad, black bill; the body is a chestnut color overall, with a bright golden-yellow crown, which gives the bird their name. the ‘plush cap’ on the bird is composed of stiff feathers, which are speculated to be more resistant to wear and tear than other feathers; this may be an adaptation to help the plushcap succeed in probing into dense whorls of bamboo in pursuit of their prey. they are found in montane forests and secondary forest habitat, as long as they are near bamboo. their diet is mainly composed of insects, foraged from within the bamboo, as well as berries and plant matter. they often hang upside down to forage, and may run their bill along bamboo poles with a series of rapid biting motions in order to find their prey.

Magpie tanager (Cissopis leverianus) By: Colin Vince From: Keeping Softbilled Birds 1980

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Scarlet Tanager Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 1 Long Pond