ANIMAL: Turquoise Tanager Tangara mexicana Type of Animal: Songbird Habitat: Humid/moist forest, riparian forest, swamp forest, woodlands/woodland edges, cultivation, semiopen areas, forest edges/clearings, tall second growth, plantations, gardens near forest edges, rural gardens, closed/semiopen parks Location(s): W & C Brazil, Guiana Shield, Venezuela, Colombia, E Ecuador, E Peru, N Bolivia, & Trinidad w/ disjunct population in E Brazil (possibly separate species called White-Bellied Tanager). Appearance: Dark blue face, black patch in front of dark stout pointed bill, blue flanks w/ black spots, blackish/dark blue back/wings/tail, pale yellow to yellow to whitish belly, turquoise edging in primaries, long dark tail. Possible separate White-Bellied variety larger than other subspecies w/ overall duller blue plumage, white belly, & blue edging in primaries. Trinidadian subspecies has darker blue head/breast & more vivid yellow belly. Food/Diet: Insects, insect larvae, grubs, fruit, berries, seeds, flowers, leaves, vegetables, eggs Status in Wild: Stable Conservation: Breeding in zoos, wildlife centers, & aviculture Lifestyle: Flocks of 5-15 birds Additional Info: Called: Male: Cock Female: Hen Young: Chick Group: Flock Weight: 0.7 oz Gestation: 2 weeks Life Span: 7 years Height: 5.5 in Body Length: 5.5 in Tail Length: 1.97 in Main predators are carnivorous/omnivorous mammals, predatory birds, snakes, & crocodilians. Bulky cup-shaped nest built in trees/shrubs. Females usually lay 2-3 brown blotched grey-green eggs per clutch. Song sounds like fast squeaky chatter tic-tic-tic-tic-tic. Sexually mature at 9 months old. They’re non-seasonal breeders. Female does all incubation but both parents take care of chicks. Chicks fledge at 2 weeks & become independent at 1 month. Sometimes join mixed-species flocks. Chicks hatch w/ eyes closed, opening eyes at 5 days old. At same time, pinfeathers develop on wings/abdomen/chest. Chick makes 1st vocalization at a week old. Chick 1st preens itself at 10-11 days old. This is time when tail feathers begin to come in. Active during the day (diurnal). Fun Fact(s): Despite scientific name, Mexico not part of range. Sometimes hybridize w/ other Tangara species. All adults within flock assist in feeding each other’s nestlings.
