ANIMAL: Paradise Tanager Tangara chilensis Type of Animal: Songbird Habitat: Forests, forest edges, second-growth woodland, shaded plantations, forest clearings Location(s): N South America Appearance: Bright green head, sky blue belly/throat/abdomen, black & dark blue back sometimes w/ light yellow/yellow/cadmium yellow/red/orange rump, black nape, black beak/legs/feet Food/Diet: Fruit, berries, arthropods/arthropod larvae, worms, nuts Status in Wild: Stable Conservation: Breeding in zoos, wildlife centers, & aviculture Lifestyle: Flocks of 2-10 birds Additional Info: Called: Male: Cock Female: Hen Young: Chick Group: Flock Weight: 0.6 oz Gestation: 2 weeks Life Span: 7 years Height: 5.31-5.9 in Body Length: 5.31-5.9 in Tail Length: 1 in Main predators are carnivorous/omnivorous mammals, predatory birds, snakes, & crocodilians. Usually forage in upper canopy, hopping along bare branches. Females lay 2-4 whitish eggs marked w/ purplish red spots in cup-shaped nests. Songs include sharp moderate-pitched ‘chak’, thin rising ‘zeee’ & high ‘sizit.’ In early morning, gives repeated ‘chak-zeet’ every 2 seconds. Males sing more often than females. Active during the day (diurnal). Often awaken before other birds to ruffle/preen feathers in order to keep them in best condition. During courtship, female assumes solicitation posture w/ tail/head up & wings flapping. Females do more nest building but both sexes help build nest. Known to be difficult to breed in captivity. Fortunately, they’re common in wild. Sometimes follow army ants which panic other insects to seek refuge up tree trunks where tanagers catch the fleeing insects. Sometimes seen flocking w/ other bird species. Sometimes bathe in water of Cecropia leaves. Tend to be very excitable & noisy. Fun Fact(s): Tangara(genus name) is Tupi word for brightly colored bird Sometimes kept as cage birds due to beauty & song. Despite being very colorful, they blend in very well & tend to be quite shy. Despite scientific name, it’s not found in Chile. Sometimes called “seven-colored bird” due to all the colors. Also called seven-colored tanager which leads to confusion w/ closely related species Seven-Colored Tanager (Tangara fastuosa). Seven-Colored Tanager looks somewhat similar to this species but has more painted look. Green-Headed Tanager (Tangara seledon) confusingly called Seven-Coloured Tanager has more green appearance but has similar look to both species.
