About the Masked Mountain Tanager
The masked mountain tanager is a vulnerable species of bird in the tanager family Thraupidae. It is the only member of the genus Tephrophilus. This large and colourful tanager is endemic to elfin forest, woodland and shrub in the Andean highlands of southern Colombia, Ecuador and northern Peru. It is generally rare or uncommon, and is threatened by habitat loss.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
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The masked mountain tanager is a large species, measuring 20 cm (7.9 in) long on average and weighing 62–63 g (2.2–2.2 oz). Male have black "masks" on their faces extending from the sides of the head down to the neck. There is a bright yellow band around the mask and on the forehead, separating the mask from the yellowish-olive crown and neck, which grade into the olive-green back. The rump is again bright yellow. The underparts are broadly bright mustard-yellow, brightest near the throat and neck, with olive streaks along the other portions.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Masked Mountain Tanager sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Venezuela.
When to see it
Peak activity in February · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Black-billed Seed FinchSporophila atrirostrisThe black-billed seed finch is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae.
St. Lucia Black FinchMelanospiza richardsoniThe Saint Lucia black finch is a small (13–14 cm; 18–23 g) brown or black finch-like bird with a strong black bill.
Seven-colored TanagerTangara fastuosaThe seven-coloured tanager is a 13.5 cm bird named for the spectacular range in colouration of its feathers.
Learn the Masked Mountain Tanager for real
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