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Carriker's mountain-tanager facts for kids

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Carriker's mountain-tanager
Dubusia taeniata imported from iNaturalist photo 42811486 on 1 December 2019.jpg
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Genus:
Dubusia
Species:
carrikeri
Dubusia carrikeri map.svg

The Carriker's mountain-tanager (Dubusia carrikeri) is a special type of bird. It belongs to the tanager family. These birds are found only in the Neotropical region. This means they live in parts of Central and South America.

This tanager lives in montane forests. These are forests found high up in the mountains. You can only find the Carriker's mountain-tanager in the Santa Marta mountains of Colombia.

For a while, some people thought this bird was a type of subspecies. A subspecies is a group of animals that is a bit different from others in the same species. But in 2016, the IUCN Red List decided it was its own unique species. The IUCN Red List is a group that tracks how endangered animals are.

Sadly, the number of Carriker's mountain-tanagers is going down. This is because their home is being damaged. Things like people using the land for fun, pollution, and climate change are hurting their forests.

Meet the Carriker's Mountain-Tanager

The Carriker's mountain-tanager is a beautiful bird. It was first described in 1946 by a scientist named Alexander Wetmore. It is named after another person, but the exact reason is not in the original text.

Where Does It Live?

This special bird lives only in the Santa Marta mountains. These mountains are in Colombia, a country in South America. The birds prefer to live in montane forests. These are cool, misty forests found high on mountain slopes. They need these specific forests to find food and build their nests.

Why Is It Special?

The Carriker's mountain-tanager is unique because it is found nowhere else. It is an endemic bird. This means it lives only in Colombia. For a long time, scientists debated if it was a separate species. In 2016, the IUCN Red List officially recognized it as its own species. This makes it even more important to protect.

Why Is It in Trouble?

The Carriker's mountain-tanager is facing big problems. Its population is getting smaller. The main reason is that its home, the mountain forest, is being damaged.

  • Habitat Damage: People sometimes use the forest for recreation. This can disturb the birds and their homes.
  • Pollution: Pollution can harm the environment. It can make it harder for the birds to find clean food and water.
  • Climate Change: Changes in the world's climate can affect the mountain forests. This might change the plants and insects the birds rely on.

Because of these threats, the Carriker's mountain-tanager is listed as "Endangered" by the IUCN Red List. This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Tangara pechifulva de Carriker para niños

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