Blue-backed Tanager
Cyanicterus cyanicterus
The Blue-backed Tanager (Cyanicterus cyanicterus) is a legendary tanager found in 6 countries, weighing about 34 g. The blue-backed tanager is a species of South American bird in the tanager family Thraupidae.
About the Blue-backed Tanager
The blue-backed tanager is a species of South American bird in the tanager family Thraupidae. It is the only member of the genus Cyanicterus. It is found in Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The blue-backed tanager is, on average, 17 cm (6.7 in) long and weighs 33–36 g (1.2–1.3 oz). It is a striking species, with males having bright blue upperparts and heads down to the breast, with the remainder of the underparts being golden-yellow. The lores are black and the wing coverts are dark. Females have a lighter cerulean coloration, compared to the male's cadet-blue, which is restricted to the upperparts; the underparts are yellow up to the sides of the head and the lores.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in France.
When to see it
The Blue-backed Tanager can be seen all year round, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Blue-backed Tanager?
- The blue-backed tanager is, on average, 17 cm (6.7 in) long and weighs 33–36 g (1.2–1.3 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Blue-backed Tanager?
- The Blue-backed Tanager is a small sized bird weighing about 34 g.
- Where can you see a Blue-backed Tanager?
- The Blue-backed Tanager occurs in 6 countries, including Guyana, Suriname, Brazil, French Guiana and Venezuela.
- What birds look similar to a Blue-backed Tanager?
- The Blue-backed Tanager is most easily confused with the Orange-throated Tanager, the Parodi's Hemispingus and the Bolivian Warbling Finch.
- Is the Blue-backed Tanager endangered?
- The Blue-backed Tanager is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Blue-backed Tanager for real
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