Magpie Tanager

The Magpie Tanager is one of the largest and most distinctive members of the tanager family, named for its bold black-and-white pattern and unusually long, graduated tail that recall a true magpie. The head, throat, and much of the upperparts are glossy black, contrasting sharply with clean white underparts and white patches on the wings, while the very long black tail is often held cocked or flicked as the bird moves.

Juveniles show a duller, more grayish-brown version of the adult pattern before molting into full adult plumage. The overall build is slim and long-tailed compared to most tanagers, most of which are compact, short-tailed birds.

Magpie Tanagers are usually encountered in small, active family groups that move conspicuously through the mid-story and canopy of forest edges, calling frequently as they go.

Key field marks

• Glossy black head, throat, and upperparts contrasting with clean white underparts
• White patches visible on the wing in flight
• Very long, graduated black tail, often flicked or cocked
• Notably larger and longer-tailed than most other tanagers

Similar species

No other tanager shares this combination of large size, black-and-white pattern, and very long tail; within its range it is unlikely to be confused with any species other than perhaps a large flycatcher or shrike-like bird at a distance, but the tail length and social behavior are diagnostic.

Habitat

This species favors forest edge, clearings, riverine and gallery forest growth, secondary woodland, and gardens with scattered trees, rather than deep closed-canopy forest.

Range

It is distributed widely across tropical South America, including Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, and much of Brazil, south to Bolivia, Paraguay, and northern Argentina.

Migration

The Magpie Tanager is a non-migratory resident throughout its range.

Behavior

Magpie Tanagers are typically found in small, noisy family groups that move actively and conspicuously through vegetation, hopping and flitting between perches while flicking their long tails.

Voice

The calls include a variety of harsh, chattering, and squeaky notes, often given as the group moves and communicates while foraging.

Feeding

It feeds on a mix of insects and fruit, foraging actively at various levels from the understory to the canopy, often working along branches and through tangled vegetation.

Nesting and breeding

The species builds a bulky open cup nest in a tree or shrub, and breeding pairs may receive help from other group members, consistent with cooperative or family-group social behavior seen in the species.