Bird’s ID -Blue-gray Tanager

Blue-gray Tanager

The Blue-gray Tanager (Thraupis episcopus) is a medium-sized South American songbird of the tanager family, Thraupidae. Its range is from Mexico south to northeast Bolivia and northern Brazil, all of the Amazon Basin, except the very south. It has been introduced to Lima (Peru).

The blue-gray tanager is 16–18 cm (6.3–7.1 in) long and weighs 30–40 g (1.1–1.4 oz). Adults have a light bluish head and underparts, with darker blue upperparts and a shoulder patch colored a different hue of blue. The bill is short and quite thick. Sexes are similar, but the immature is much duller in plumage.

The breeding habitat is open woodland, cultivated areas and gardens. The blue-gray tanager lives mainly on fruit, but will also take some nectar and insects. This is a common, restless, noisy and confiding species, usually found in pairs, but sometimes small groups. It thrives around human habitation, and will take some cultivated fruit like papayas (Carica papaya).

One to three, usually two, dark-marked whitish to gray-green eggs are laid in a deep cup nest in a high tree fork or building crevice. Incubation by the female is 14 days with another 17 to fledging. The nest is sometimes parasitized by Molothrus cowbirds.

Photo Gallery

Tags: Bird's ID, birding, birds, Blue-gray tanager, Interesting information, photography, photos of birds

18 thoughts on “Bird’s ID -Blue-gray Tanager”

Jet Eliot on June 19, 2019 at 8:33 am said:

Wonderful photos of the blue-gray tanager, HJ, and good information too. I think the blue-gray is such an elegant bird, and when I do get a chance to see one, I savor the moment.

Reply ↓
- H.J. for avian101 on June 19, 2019 at 6:05 pm said:
  
  The blue-gray tanagers are beautiful birds, difficult to photograph because they constantly hide behind leafy branches in trees. Thank you, Jet. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
africanbirding on June 19, 2019 at 8:34 am said:

Reblogged this on Wolf's Birding and Bonsai Blog.

Reply ↓
- H.J. for avian101 on June 19, 2019 at 6:08 pm said:
  
  Thanks! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Mags on June 19, 2019 at 2:34 pm said:

Pretty bird, I have never seen one live. Great photos as always. Hugs

Reply ↓
- H.J. for avian101 on June 19, 2019 at 6:09 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Mags. Hugs. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Lisa Rest on June 19, 2019 at 3:18 pm said:

Beautiful photos, H.J.! I love Blue-Gray Tanagers. I was surprised by how different they look between Central and South America but given their wide range I guess it’s only to be expected. Shades of blue-gray… 🙂

Reply ↓
- H.J. for avian101 on June 19, 2019 at 6:18 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Lisa. The plumage’s different hues for different countries might be influenced by the variety of food that grows locally. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
tanjabrittonwriter on June 19, 2019 at 5:04 pm said:

I had a feeling that I would have to take a trip south when I saw your beautiful photos. Maybe one of these days…😊

Reply ↓
- H.J. for avian101 on June 19, 2019 at 6:23 pm said:
  
  If you ever take the trip, I’m sure you won’t regret it! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
  - tanjabrittonwriter on June 19, 2019 at 7:06 pm said:
    
    I am sure you are completely right, H.J.! 🙂
silviadeangelis40d on June 20, 2019 at 2:32 am said:

Sfumature e colori bellissimi, in queste immagini che dànno emozioni nell’osservazione di speciale
creatura della natura
Un caro saluto,silvia

Reply ↓
- H.J. for avian101 on June 20, 2019 at 5:35 pm said:
  
  Bella descrizione con le parole selezionate. Grazie Silvia. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
bayphotosbydonna on June 20, 2019 at 7:10 am said:

So beautiful, what lovely shades of blue, HJ! 🙂

Reply ↓
- H.J. for avian101 on June 20, 2019 at 5:48 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Donna. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
kkessler833 on June 20, 2019 at 6:47 pm said:

Beautiful! Especially like the last one!

Reply ↓
- H.J. for avian101 on June 20, 2019 at 9:13 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Kendall. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
  - kkessler833 on June 21, 2019 at 8:13 pm said:
    
    Welcome!