Blue-necked tanager facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blue-necked tanager |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| S. c. cyanicollis, Peru | |
_Cundinamarca.jpg) |
|
| S. c. granadenis, Colombia | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
 |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Tangara cyanicollis |
The blue-necked tanager (Stilpnia cyanicollis) is a beautiful bird found in South America. It belongs to the Thraupidae family, which includes many colorful tanagers. These birds are known for their bright feathers and lively behavior.
You can find blue-necked tanagers in countries like Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. They are a common sight in their natural homes.
Contents
Meet the Blue-necked Tanager
This amazing bird is quite small. It is about 12 centimeters (about 4.7 inches) long. It weighs around 17 grams (about 0.6 ounces). That's about the weight of a few quarters!
What Does It Look Like?
The blue-necked tanager is easy to spot because of its bright colors. It has a striking blue hood and throat. Its wings and rump feathers are a pretty turquoise or greenish-yellow. The feathers on its belly can be black, violet, or blue.
Young blue-necked tanagers look a bit different. They are mostly brownish-gray. As they grow older, they start to get their adult colors. The exact colors can change slightly depending on where the bird lives. All blue-necked tanagers have black beaks, legs, and feet.
Where Does It Live?
Blue-necked tanagers love forests. Their natural habitats include moist lowland forests. They also live in moist montane forests, which are forests found in mountains. You might even see them in areas where forests used to be, but have changed over time. They prefer places with lots of trees and plants.
What Does It Eat?
The blue-necked tanager enjoys a varied diet. They love to eat fruits and berries. They also snack on flower blossoms. Insects are another important part of their diet.
These birds are clever hunters. They often pick insects right off leaves. Sometimes, they even catch insects while flying! Even though they eat insects, fruits are their favorite food.
Family Life
Blue-necked tanagers are caring parents. The female bird builds a cozy, cup-shaped nest. She usually hides it well, often using moss to keep it secret.
She lays about two white eggs. These eggs often have small brown spots. The mother bird sits on the eggs for about 13 to 14 days. This is called incubation. After the chicks hatch, they stay in the nest for about 15 to 16 days. This is when they grow strong enough to fly.
Both the male and female tanagers work together to feed their babies. They bring them insects and fruit. Sometimes, other adult tanagers might even help out. This shows how they work as a team to raise their young.
