Tanager finch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tanager finch |
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| In Ecuador | |
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Passerellidae |
| Genus: | Oreothraupis Sclater, PL, 1856 |
| Species: |
O. arremonops
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| Binomial name | |
| Oreothraupis arremonops (Sclater, PL, 1855)
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| Synonyms | |
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Saltator arremonops |
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The tanager finch (Oreothraupis arremonops) is a type of songbird. Even though its name includes "tanager" and "finch," it's actually a New World bunting. This bird is the only species in its group, called Oreothraupis.
You can find the tanager finch in Colombia and Ecuador. It lives in wet, tropical montane forests. Sadly, its home is shrinking, which is a problem for the bird.
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What Does the Tanager Finch Look Like?
This bird is usually about 20-30 centimeters long. It's a small, plump bird with a short, black beak. Its head is black, with a white stripe running down its back.
The tanager finch has a white belly. This stands out against its rusty or light orange body. Its legs are dark brown. It has a tail that matches its body color, but it's a bit darker. Male and female tanager finches look exactly the same.
How Does the Tanager Finch Find Food?
Tanager finches look for food in damp, shady places. They search under low bushes and in the leaf litter on the forest floor. They often forage in pairs or small family groups. You can see them scratching through leaves to find food.
Where Does the Tanager Finch Live?
The tanager finch lives in Colombia and Ecuador. They prefer thick, wet, and mossy cloud-forests. Their numbers are going down because their habitat is getting smaller. They do not move to different places during the year. They live on land, and a new generation is born about every 3.8 years.
What Sounds Does the Tanager Finch Make?
The tanager finch has a high-pitched song. It usually starts with three to five short, crowded notes. Then it changes into a chattering sound. People have described its song as "tzz tzz tzzz tz-zz-zz-tz tz tz tz tz tz." The song gets louder and more complex as it goes on.
How Is the Tanager Finch Protected?
In 2018, the number of tanager finches was decreasing. There were about 1,500 to 6,000 adult birds left. There aren't many special plans to protect them. However, some protected areas exist where they live. Even though their numbers are falling, they are not currently considered globally threatened. They were once listed as vulnerable.
What Harms the Tanager Finch?
The tanager finch faces many dangers. The biggest threats come from deforestation and cities growing. This includes building homes, businesses, and roads. Cutting down trees for wood also harms them. Farming also threatens the tanager finch. This includes growing crops and raising animals.
Tanager Finch Reproduction
Tanager finch nests are usually shaped like an egg. They are made mostly of moss. One nest was found about one meter above the ground. It had a moss roof and contained one white egg.
 | Victor J. Glover |
 | Yvonne Cagle |
 | Jeanette Epps |
 | Bernard A. Harris Jr. |
