Carmiol's tanager facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carmiol's tanager |
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Chlorothraupis
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carmioli
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The Carmiol's tanager (Chlorothraupis carmioli) is a type of bird. It lives in Central America, from Nicaragua down to northwest Colombia. This bird is part of the cardinal family. It likes to live in warm, wet lowland forests. You might also find it in areas where forests used to be.
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About the Carmiol's Tanager Name
Scientists give every animal a special two-part name. This helps everyone know exactly which animal they are talking about. The Carmiol's tanager was first described in 1868. An American bird expert named George Newbold Lawrence gave it the scientific name Phoenicothraupis carmioli.
Today, this bird is in a group called Chlorothraupis. This group was created by other scientists, Osbert Salvin and Frederick DuCane Godman. The bird's common name, Carmiol's tanager, honors Franz Carmiol. He was a collector who found the first bird specimen for a museum called the Smithsonian Institution.
Why Its Family Changed
For a while, the Carmiol's tanager was thought to be in the tanager family. But scientists used new ways to study its DNA. This showed that it was actually more closely related to cardinals. So, it was moved to the cardinal family.
Different Types of Carmiol's Tanagers
There are three slightly different types, or subspecies, of Carmiol's tanager:
- C. c. carmioli: Found from Nicaragua to northwest Panama.
- C. c. magnirostris: Lives in western Panama.
- C. c. lutescens: Found from central Panama to northwest Colombia.
What Carmiol's Tanagers Look Like
An adult Carmiol's tanager is about 17 centimeters (6.7 inches) long. It is a strong bird with a solid color. Its top feathers are a dull olive green. Its belly and chest are a lighter olive green.
Male vs. Female Birds
The male bird has a slightly yellower throat. It also has streaks on its throat. The female bird has a plain pale yellow throat. Her underparts are lighter than the male's. Females also have a yellowish patch right in front of their eyes. Both male and female birds have a strong, dark beak.
How Carmiol's Tanagers Live
Carmiol's tanagers are very social birds. They often gather in noisy groups of a few dozen birds. Sometimes, other bird species, like the tawny-crested tanager, join their groups. In Panama, you might hear them make a repeated "zhwek-zhwek-zhwek" sound. They often repeat this sound several times.
What They Eat
These birds mostly eat small insects. This includes beetles, cockroaches, and crickets. They also like to eat berries.
Nesting and Breeding
Carmiol's tanagers usually breed between March and May. Their nest is shaped like a cup. They build it using plant fibers and mosses.
Carmiol's Tanager Status
Scientists keep track of how many Carmiol's tanagers there are. The total number of these birds seems to be going down. However, in some areas, the bird is still quite common. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature says it is a "least concern" species. This means they are not currently worried about it becoming endangered.
