Spotted tanager facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spotted tanager |
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Tanagra punctata Linnaeus, 1766 |
The spotted tanager (Ixothraupis punctata) is a colorful bird that belongs to the tanager family, called Thraupidae. It's known for its beautiful spotted feathers. You can find this bird in several countries in South America, including Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. It likes to live in warm, wet forests, both in lowlands and on mountains. These are its natural habitats.
About Its Name
Have you ever wondered how animals get their names? Scientists use a special system to give each living thing a unique two-part name. This helps everyone around the world know exactly which animal they are talking about.
The famous Swedish scientist Carl Linnaeus officially named the spotted tanager in 1766. He gave it the name Tanagra punctata. The second part of its name, punctata, is a Latin word that means "spotted." This makes perfect sense because of the bird's spotted feathers! Today, scientists place the spotted tanager in a group of birds called the genus Ixothraupis.
Different Types of Spotted Tanagers
Just like there can be different types of dogs, there are also different types, or "subspecies," of spotted tanagers. Scientists recognize five main subspecies:
- I. p. punctata (Linnaeus, 1766) – Found in southern Venezuela, the Guianas, and northern Brazil.
- I. p. zamorae (Chapman, 1925) – Lives in central Ecuador and northern Peru.
- I. p. perenensis (Chapman, 1925) – Found in central Peru.
- I. p. annectens (Zimmer, JT, 1943) – Lives in southeastern Peru.
- I. p. punctulata (Sclater, PL & Salvin, 1876) – Found in west-central Bolivia.
Gallery
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A spotted tanager in its natural home.
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A spotted tanager at the San Diego Zoo.
