Palm tanager facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Palm tanager |
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| A palm tanager in Trinidad | |
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| A palm tanager in Colombia | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Thraupis
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| Species: |
palmarum
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The palm tanager (scientific name: Thraupis palmarum) is a medium-sized bird. It belongs to a group of birds called tanagers. This bird lives in many parts of Central and South America. You can find it from Nicaragua all the way south to Bolivia, Paraguay, and southern Brazil. It also lives on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. People in different places have special names for it. For example, in Trinidad and Tobago, some call it the "green jean."
Contents
What They Look Like
Palm tanagers are about 19 centimeters (7.5 inches) long. This is about the length of a small ruler. They weigh around 36 grams (1.3 ounces). Their bodies are mostly grey or a dull olive-green color.
Their wing feathers are dark, almost black. They have a long, dark tail with green edges. When a palm tanager flies, you might see a bright yellow stripe on its wing. Male and female palm tanagers look very similar. Sometimes, the female birds might be a little bit lighter in color.
Where They Live and What They Like
Palm tanagers live in places that are partly open. This includes farms, gardens, and other areas where there are trees but also open spaces. They are often found near palm trees.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
These birds build their nests in trees, often in a palm tree. Sometimes, they even build nests under the roof edges of houses. Their nest is shaped like a cup and can look quite big.
The female bird lays three eggs, but sometimes only two. The eggs are cream-colored with brown spots. She sits on the eggs for about 14 days. After the eggs hatch, the baby birds stay in the nest for about 17 more days before they are ready to fly.
How They Behave and What They Eat
Palm tanagers are very social birds. They like to be around other birds. They are also quite active and move around a lot. These birds are not very shy around people.
They eat many different kinds of small fruit. They also enjoy drinking nectar from flowers. Sometimes, they will eat flower petals and even insects, like caterpillars. The song of a palm tanager is described as fast and squeaky.
