Golden-crowned Tanager Iridosornis rufivertex Scientific name definitions

Four subspecies of the chubby-bodied Golden-crowned Tanager are recognized, across its range from Venezuela south to northern Peru. This strikingly plumaged tanager is speculated to be a nuclear component of mixed-species foraging flocks in low-stature woodlands close to the treeline. It is usually found in pairs or small groups of up to four. Most of the body feathers are deep violet-blue, with a black head and throat, topped by the bright golden crown, and tawny-coloured ventral region.

15 cm; 18–28 g. Dark but richly coloured tanager with short and thick bill. Nominate race has large circular crown patch of rich golden-orange surrounded by deep velvety black of rest of head , neck and throat; upperparts mainly deep, intense, shining purplish-blue; tail blackish, outer feathers edged dark blue; lesser upperwing-coverts deep purplish-blue (like back), median and greater coverts paler blue, flight-feathers black, inner primaries and secondaries broadly edged blue (like greater coverts), tertials black, outer half of feathers edged blue; black of throat bordered below by shining dark purplish-blue on chest, breast, belly, sides and flanks; centre of belly and undertail-coverts chestnut; iris dark reddish-brown; bill black above, pale greyish below; legs black. Sexes similar. Juvenile is dusky, has wing and tail as on adult but duller, and crown patch duller and smaller. Race subsimilis is very like nominate, but coronal patch paler and duller orange-yellow; caeruleoventris differs in having crown patch brighter orange-yellow, and vent and undertail-coverts purplish-blue; ignicapillus is similar to previous, but undertail-coverts chestnut (as on nominate).

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Of three stomachs examined, one contained only vegetable matter and one only animal matter, and one contained both; contents included seeds and insects. Found generally in pairs or in small groups of up to about four individuals, most often associated with mixed-species flocks. Forages usually c. 0·5–5 m up; tends to remain out of sight as it hops and peers in dense foliage, pops out into open briefly, or flies low across small gaps and dives quickly into cover.