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Olive-green Tanager Orthogonys chloricterus Scientific name definitions

Steven Hilty and Eduardo de Juana
Version: 1.0 — Published March 4, 2020
Text last updated January 1, 2011

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Originally Appeared in

HBW Alive

Introduction

The sole member of one of several Thraupidae genera that is endemic to Brazil, the Olive-green Tanager inhabits coastal montane forest, principally above 900 m, in the southeast of the country between Espírito Santo and Santa Catarina. This comparatively large-bodied tanager is very distinctively but rather uniformly plumaged, being dull olive-green above, and rather yellower below. It seems to be largely or exclusively a group-living species, often being observed in bands of up to circa ten individuals, which forage for insects and fruits, even visiting bird tables in some places, and at least occasionally serving as a nucleus for mixed-species foraging flocks. To date, very little has been published concerning the Olive-green Tanager’s breeding behavior.

Field Identification

18–19 cm. Olive and yellow tanager lacking distinctive markings, with bill relatively slender. Plumage is uniformly olive above, including wing and tail, slightly darker on crown; below, entirely dull yellow (contrasting with olive upperparts), with tinge of olive on sides and flanks; iris dark brown; bill blackish; legs pale yellowish-brown, sometimes with pinkish tinge. Sexes similar. Juvenile undescribed.

Systematics History

Monotypic.

Subspecies

Monotypic.

Distribution

Espírito Santo S to E Santa Catarina and NE Rio Grande do Sul (1), in SE Brazil.

Habitat

Tall humid montane forest and forest borders in coastal mountains, at 900–1800 m.

Movement

None reported.

Diet and Foraging

Insects; some fruit, including Cecropia catkins. Occurs in flocks of about eight individuals, occasionally up to 20, most often in single-species flocks. When foraging, individuals within group often spread over fairly large area. Forages mainly in middle and upper levels, but may come lower, especially for fruit. Hops along branch, then pauses to peer at foliage and bromeliads, often stretching upwards. In sample of c. 60 observations, most were of birds taking insects from leaves, including large leaves, and from bromeliads; smaller number were of sallies for flying insect prey. Sometimes comes to fruit feeders. Flicks tail up when excited.

Sounds and Vocal Behavior

Loud “wheek!” and other notes during foraging, often heard well before groups appear in view; call a high, buzzy “tseee”. Song a chattery, bubbly mix of “tseee” and “pit” or “si” notes, often 3–5 in a series, followed by short pause, e.g. “tséé-si, si, si, tséé-si, si, si”, sometimes several individuals joining in and singing simultaneously.

Breeding

Bird carrying nest material to bromeliad on large tree in Nov. No other information.

Conservation Status

Conservation status on Birdlife LC Least Concern
Not globally threatened. Restricted-range species: present in Atlantic Forest Mountains EBA. Locally common to uncommon. Despite some published statements, no definite records from Rio Grande do Sul. Occurs in numerous parks and reserves in SE Brazil. Numerous at Boraceia Forest Reserve, in Serra do Mar (NE São Paulo); smaller numbers at Itatiaia and Tijuca National Parks (Rio de Janeiro). Outside protected areas and parks, almost all habitat formerly occupied by this species has disappeared, resulting in range contractions and highly fragmented distribution. Despite local population declines and fragmentation, its long-term viability should be assured if protection continues for the parks and reserves where it remains.
Distribution of the Olive-green Tanager - Range Map
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  • Year-round
  • Migration
  • Breeding
  • Non-Breeding
Distribution of the Olive-green Tanager

eBird and Macaulay Library

Recommended Citation

Hilty, S. and E. de Juana (2020). Olive-green Tanager (Orthogonys chloricterus), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.olgtan1.01
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