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Ruby-crowned tanager facts for kids

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Ruby-crowned tanager
Tachyphonus coronatus -Vale do Ribeira, Sao Paulo, Registro, Brasil -male-8.jpg
Male
Tachyphonus coronatus female.jpg
Female
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Genus:
Tachyphonus
Species:
coronatus
Tachyphonus coronatus map.svg

The ruby-crowned tanager (Tachyphonus coronatus) is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae found in the southern areas of Brazil and the Atlantic Forest.

Description

The ruby-crowned tanager is a small bird, 16 centimeters or 6 inches long, weighing from 26 to 33 grams. Males are shining black with concealed red crests on the front of their head that they rarely raise, usually when excited, and white wingpits that are visible only when flying. Females are light brown, with slight black streaking under the throat and darker wings. Both sexes possess conical bills and black legs and feet.

Distribution and habitat

Ruby-crowned tanagers have a large range, occupying most of southern Brazil, eastern Paraguay and the Misiones Province of Argentina. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical moist montane forest, and heavily degraded former forest.

Diet

Ruby-crowned tanagers eat lots of fruit and insects, as well as seeds. They sometimes pursue swarms of army ants to find food, and will come to feeding stations with fruit.

Behavior

Ruby-crowned tanagers live in pairs, but can also be seen in slightly larger flocks or alone. They are active, and will quickly move from one fruit tree to another in search of food.

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