Birds
Flame-faced Tanager
Tangara parzudakii
A blazing orange-red face flashes through Andean cloud forest as a flame-faced tanager joins a mixed-species flock, its fiery facial patch standing out sharply against green and black plumage.
Overview
The flame-faced tanager, Tangara parzudakii, is a Least Concern bird found across humid Andean cloud forest from Colombia to Peru. Its vivid orange-red facial patch, social flocking habits, and membership in one of the most colourful songbird genera in the Americas make it a distinctive presence at mid to upper elevations throughout its range.
A face that catches the light
Set against otherwise green and black plumage, the flame-faced tanager’s glowing facial patch makes it one of the more immediately recognizable members of the mixed-species flocks it regularly joins while foraging through cloud forest canopy.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread across suitable Andean cloud forest habitat throughout its range.
Flame-faced Tanager: common questions
Why is it called the flame-faced tanager?
It shows a vivid orange-red patch covering the face, resembling a flame, that gives the species its common name and contrasts sharply with its green and black body plumage.
Where does the flame-faced tanager live?
It ranges across humid Andean cloud forest from Colombia to Peru, mainly at mid to upper elevations.
Does the flame-faced tanager forage alone?
Not typically. It frequently joins mixed-species foraging flocks alongside other tanager species moving through the cloud forest canopy.
What does the flame-faced tanager eat?
It is an omnivore, eating fruit and insects gleaned from canopy and mid-level cloud forest vegetation.