Crimson-backed Tanager

The Crimson-backed Tanager is a bold, richly colored songbird found from Panama through Colombia and Venezuela. Males show a deep black hood, wings, and tail contrasted sharply against a glowing crimson-red back, breast, and belly, creating a striking two-tone pattern. Females and immatures are duller and more uniformly brownish-red, lacking the crisp black-and-crimson contrast of the adult male.

A familiar and adaptable bird, it thrives around human habitation, commonly seen in gardens, parks, and roadside shrubbery, where its bright colors and confiding behavior make it a favorite among local and visiting bird watchers alike.

Key field marks

• Males: black head, wings, and tail contrasting with a crimson-red back, breast, and belly
• Females/immatures: duller brownish-red overall, less contrast
• Thick, dark, conical tanager bill
• Often shows a slightly two-toned bill similar to related Ramphocelus tanagers

Similar species

• Silver-beaked Tanager is red throughout the body rather than sharply two-toned black-and-crimson, and has a distinctive pale lower mandible.
• Scarlet-rumped Tanager shows red confined mainly to the rump, not extending across the belly and breast as in the Crimson-backed Tanager.

Habitat

Inhabits forest edges, second growth, shrubby clearings, plantations, and gardens; well adapted to human-altered landscapes.

Range

Found from Panama through Colombia and Venezuela, generally in lowland and foothill areas.

Migration

Resident and non-migratory throughout its range.

Behavior

Confiding and often conspicuous, typically seen in pairs or small groups perched in the open at forest edges, gardens, and fruiting trees.

Voice

Gives a sharp, husky "chip" call and a simple, scratchy warbled song, similar to other Ramphocelus tanagers.

Feeding

Feeds mainly on soft fruit and berries, supplemented with insects gleaned from foliage and branches.

Nesting

Builds an open cup nest low in dense shrub or vine tangle; typically lays 2 eggs.