Orange-eared Tanager Chlorochrysa calliparaea Scientific name definitions

This east-slope counterpart of the Glistening-green Tanager (Chlorochrysa phoenicotis) ranges widely from western Venezuela to northern Bolivia, where it is a generally uncommon inhabitant of mossy montane forest and its edges, principally at elevations between 900 and 2000 m. Three subspecies are recognized, all of which have predominantly green plumage with an orange or rufous-colored rump and orange-red neck-sides (not ‘ears’). The species’ scientific name, along with its most common vernacular names, all make reference to these distinctive, ear-like orange spots that help make this species both distinctive and beautiful. The subspecies differ in the depth of the blue underparts in males, and two subspecies possess a black throat patch. Orange-eared Tanagers usually travel with mixed-species flocks and feed in the canopy or subcanopy of tall forest. Although not uncommon in appropriate habitat, only one recent study has investigated its breeding biology and, on the whole, there is much to learn regarding all aspects of its natural history.