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Rufous-crested Tanager

Creurgops verticalis

Tanagers and Allies · Passeriformes · Rare

The Rufous-crested Tanager (Creurgops verticalis) is a rare tanager found in 3 countries, weighing about 24 g. The rufous-crested tanager is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae.

Least ConcernRareEats invertebratesforest24 g
Rufous-crested Tanager (Creurgops verticalis), photo 1
Photo: Jonathan Juan Chancasana Villacorta · http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Rufous-crested Tanager (Creurgops verticalis), photo 2
Photo: capacoscar · http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Rufous-crested Tanager (Creurgops verticalis), photo 3
Photo: David F. Belmonte · http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Rufous-crested Tanager (Creurgops verticalis), photo 4
Photo: Laura Gaudette · http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Rufous-crested Tanager (Creurgops verticalis), photo 5
Photo: Laura Gaudette · http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Rufous-crested Tanager (Creurgops verticalis), photo 6
Photo: batsoul · http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Rufous-crested Tanager (Creurgops verticalis), photo 7
Photo: NTNU University Museum / Per Gätzschmann · http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Rufous-crested Tanager (Creurgops verticalis), photo 8
Photo: NTNU University Museum / Frengen, Otto · http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Rufous-crested Tanager (Creurgops verticalis), photo 9
Photo: (c) Jonathan Juan Chancasana Villacorta, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY
Rufous-crested Tanager (Creurgops verticalis), photo 10
Photo: (c) David F. Belmonte, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY

About the Rufous-crested Tanager

The rufous-crested tanager is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

How to identify it

The rufous-crested tanager measures around 15 cm (5.9 in) in length and weighs around 21–27 g (0.74–0.95 oz) on average. It has a thick-set beak with a "tooth" at its tip, although this feature is only visible when examined from a close distance. This tanager is sexually dimorphic. Males have broadly lead-gray upperparts and cinnamon-rufous undersides. The top of the head has black-margined cinnamon-rufous feathers that form a crest. These feathers can be raised to display the crest, but are usually relaxed. Females lack these crests, but are otherwise similar to males in their appearance.

Where it lives

Colombia Ecuador Peru

When to see it

The Rufous-crested Tanager can be seen all year round, with peak activity in July. It is a resident species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify a Rufous-crested Tanager?
The rufous-crested tanager measures around 15 cm (5.9 in) in length and weighs around 21–27 g (0.74–0.95 oz) on average. Full identification notes are on this page.
How big is a Rufous-crested Tanager?
The Rufous-crested Tanager is a small sized bird weighing about 24 g.
Where can you see a Rufous-crested Tanager?
The Rufous-crested Tanager occurs in 3 countries, including Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
What birds look similar to a Rufous-crested Tanager?
The Rufous-crested Tanager is most easily confused with the Slaty Tanager.
Is the Rufous-crested Tanager endangered?
The Rufous-crested Tanager is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

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