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BLACK-BODIED TANAGERS

(3+ species). Medium-size to fairly large tanagers, formerly all

placed in genus Tachyphonus, now in multiple genera. Males mostly black overall, some with colored

crest stripe or white wing patch; females notably plain and drab, best identified by overall plumage tones,

bill shape, habits, and presence of more-distinctive males.

*WHITE-SHOULDERED TANAGER  Loriotus (Tachyphonus) luctuosus 13.5–

15cm. Fairly small tanager of humid forest and edge, adjacent taller second

growth and overgrown clearings. Pairs or small groups forage mainly in leafy

foliage at mid–upper levels, usually with mixed flocks. Male distinctive, with

obvious white shoulder patch; female notably drab olive overall but nothing

especially similar in Costa Rica given size, bill shape, habits, and usually with

male. Juv. resembles female but duller and browner; male attains adult plumage

within a few months. Comprises 2 groups in Costa Rica that may represent

species: Chiriqui Tanager L. [l.] nitidissimus (14–15cm) of s. Pacific slope, in

which male has (usually concealed) tawny crown stripe, bright silvery mandible, female has grayish tinge

to face and throat; slightly smaller Costa Rican Tanager L. [l.] axillaris (13.5–14.5cm) of Caribbean slope,

in which male lacks tawny crown patch, female olive overall. SOUNDS: Chiriqui has short, slightly smacking

chatter or slow rattle, might suggest a wren, often preceded by 1–2 high sip notes, ssi chi-chi-chi-chi-chit,

and variations; breaks into squeaky chatters when excited; also high rising ssip. Costa Rican gives short

rapid chatter, perhaps less smacking than Chiriqui. STATUS: Fairly common on both slopes, Chiriqui to

800m, Costa Rican locally to 1200m. (Honduras to S. America.)

TAWNY-CRESTED TANAGER  Tachyphonus delatrii 15–16cm. Humid lowland

and foothill forest, adjacent taller second growth. Small, often noisy groups forage

actively in leafy foliage at low to mid-levels, at times in association with Carmiol’s

Tanagers, ovenbirds, and other species. Male’s crest usually striking and distinctive,

even when not flared; female notably drab, dark olive-brown, best told by fairly

stout bill, habits, and often with male. Juv. resembles female but duller and

sootier; male attains adult plumage within a few months. SOUNDS: Sharp to

slightly metallic high chips, sometimes doubled, and higher, slightly wiry or

lisping notes; roving groups often call steadily. STATUS:  Fairly common to

common on Caribbean slope, mainly in lower foothills, to 1200m. (Nicaragua to

Ecuador.)

WHITE-LINED TANAGER  Tachyphonus rufus 17–18.5cm. Rather large and

uniformly colored tanager of scrubby second growth, forest edge, gardens; not

inside humid forest. In pairs year-round, mainly foraging at low levels, not

usually with mixed flocks; visits feeders. Male flashes white underwing coverts in

flight, often drawing attention; female can be puzzling, best told by stout dark

bill, habits, often with male. Juv. resembles female but duller, somewhat mottled

overall; male attains adult plumage within a few months. SOUNDS: Clipped,

nasal to semi-metallic chieh, often rather quiet. Song a steady, tedious chant of

underslurred or downslurred rich chirps, 2–3/sec, cheuh cheuh..., can be pro­

longed for 30 secs or more; downslurred and overslurred chirps can be alternated, chur chieh chur chieh.…

STATUS:  Uncommon to fairly common on both slopes, locally to 1500m; range expanding with

deforestation. (Costa Rica to S America.)