Golden Tanager

The Golden Tanager is a warmly colored songbird of the Andes, its plumage a rich golden-yellow overall that seems to glow even in the dim light of cloud forest interiors. Black markings accent the face around the eye and ear region, streak the back, and mark the wings, creating a striking contrast against the golden body, while some subspecies show a rufous or orange wash on the head.

A characteristic member of mixed-species foraging flocks in Andean forests, it moves through the middle and upper levels of the forest, often detected by its thin calls before it comes into view against the foliage.

Key field marks

• Rich golden-yellow body plumage, brightest on the underparts
• Black patch around the eye and ear coverts
• Black streaking on the back and dark wings with pale edging
• Some populations show a rufous-orange wash on the crown or nape

Similar species

• Saffron-crowned Tanager shares golden tones but has a more orange crown and different black facial pattern.
• Silver-throated Tanager is paler yellow overall with a distinctive silvery-white throat, lacking the bold black face markings of the Golden Tanager.

Habitat

Inhabits humid montane forest, cloud forest, and forest edge, favoring mid-elevation slopes of the Andes.

Range

Found along the Andes from Venezuela and Colombia south through Ecuador and Peru to Bolivia, generally between about 1,000 and 2,400 m elevation.

Migration

Resident and non-migratory, with some local altitudinal movement possible in response to food availability.

Behavior

Active and social, usually traveling in pairs or small groups within mixed-species flocks that move steadily through the mid-story and canopy of montane forest.

Voice

A thin, high-pitched "tsit" or "seet" call note, typical of many Tangara tanagers, along with soft contact calls among flock members.

Feeding

Feeds on small fruit and berries, supplemented with insects gleaned from leaves, moss, and branches.

Nesting

Builds a compact cup nest in forest vegetation; details of breeding biology are not extensively documented, but clutches typically comprise 2 eggs.