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CRIMSON-COLLARED TANAGER  Ramphocelus sanguinolentus 19–20cm.

Handsome and distinctive tanager of humid forest edge, adjacent second

growth. Mostly in pairs ranging low to high, mainly at mid-levels; usually

independent of mixed flocks. No similar species in Costa Rica. Juv. duller

overall, crimson areas of adult orange-red. SOUNDS: Piercing whistled ssiiew, and

high thin ssiip, also in flight. Song a slightly jerky, unhurried medley of high,

thin, sweet to slightly squeaky whistled notes, 1–2 notes/sec. STATUS: Uncommon

to fairly common on Caribbean slope, locally to 1500m; spills over locally to

humid foothills of n. Pacific slope. (Mexico to w. Panama.)

SCARLET-RUMPED TANAGER  Ramphocelus passerinii 17–18cm. Humid

second growth, forest edge, overgrown clearings, gardens. In pairs or small

groups, mainly at low to mid-levels in leafy foliage, at times with other tanagers;

often visits fruit feeders. Male unmistakable, velvet-black with flame-red rump

often puffed out. Female distinctive, with silver-gray bill, grayish head; Pacific

slope birds have variable orange on breast and rump. Juv. resembles female but

bill duller; adult male appearance attained over a few months in summer, when

patchy birds are commonly seen. Comprises 2 groups that have been treated as

species: Passerini’s Tanager R. [p.] passerinii of Caribbean slope; Cherrie’s

Tanager R. [p.] costaricensis of s. Pacific slope, not separable in adult male plumage. SOUNDS: Slightly nasal

cheht or chay, often repeated in excited chatters; rough shih and lisping chatters, such as ssi-ssi cheh-chéh,

at times repeated every few secs; and high buzzy zzrit. Song a variable short medley of (usually 2–5)

slightly nasal whistled chirps, about 2 notes/sec, at times repeated steadily, such as chiéh’i-wieh chiieh-

wieh..., or simply chíeh-lii...; might suggest a musical House Sparrow. STATUS: Fairly common to common

on both slopes to 1200m, rarely 1900m; both groups may be spreading and range overlap seems likely in

w. Central Valley. (Mexico to w. Panama.)

GENUS TANGARA

(11 species). Classic Tangara are rather small, ‘crown jewel’ tanagers most

diverse in lower foothills; recent molecular work, however, shows that most tanagers traditionally placed

in genus Thraupis (Blue-gray Tanager, etc., p. 410) are embedded within Tangara. Usually in pairs or

small groups in forest canopy, often at fruiting trees with mixed flocks. Voices typically underwhelming:

mostly high thin chips and twitters, more than compensated for by stunning plumages.

GOLDEN-HOODED TANAGER  Tangara (Stilpnia) larvata 12.5–13cm.

Humid forest, adjacent clearings, gardens, second growth with taller trees. In

small groups or pairs, mainly at mid–upper levels; often with mixed flocks.

Distinctive adult stunning in good light, with black body, golden hood, violet

and turquoise highlights. Juv. usually with adult, shows ghosting of adult

pattern. SOUNDS: Sharp, fairly hard chipping chik and gruff clipped cheht, which

may be repeated steadily. Song a rapid dry trill, often preceded by a few sharp

chips or cheht notes, cheht cheht ch ssiiiiiiiiir, 1–3 secs. STATUS: Fairly common

to common on both slopes, to 1500m. (Mexico to nw. Ecuador.)

PLAIN-COLORED TANAGER  Tangara inornata 12–12.5cm. Humid lowland

forest, adjacent second growth with taller trees, gardens. In small groups or

pairs mainly at mid–upper levels; often apart from mixed flocks. Small size and

rather drab plumage distinctive, blue shoulders often concealed; cf. much larger

Palm and Blue-gray Tanagers. Juv. duller and more buffy, lacks blue shoulder

patch. SOUNDS: High thin sip notes and twitters, at times (song?) in prolonged

series mixed with short trills. STATUS:  Uncommon to fairly common on

Caribbean slope, locally to 1000m. (Costa Rica to Colombia.)