Tantalizing Tanagers

Summer Tanager molting

Scarlet Tanager

 In Kentucky, we have two kinds of tanagers, the Summer and the Scarlet, and it's always a thrill to see one. In Costa Rica, however, we sighted 13 tanager species of a total of 20 on our checklist. I never knew they could come in so many brilliant colors!

Blue-gay Tanager

The Blue-gray Tanager was our first, found in the gardens at Hotel Bougainvillea in San Jose. When sitting in the sun, he is a bright blue, but appears to be a drab gray in the shade.

Plain Tanager

The Plain Tanager and the Palm Tanager are similar, and I think I have the right name on this one. It can be hard to remember a week after sighting the bird.

Flame-colored Tanager - male

Flame-colored Tanager - female

The Flame-colored Tanagers were abundant around the Savegre Lodge in the mountains, coming down to eat bananas at the feeders each morning.

Crimson-collaredTanager

We found two different black and red tanagers with white beaks, and it's easy to get them confused. The Crimson-collared has, of course, red around his neck...

Passerini's Tanager

...while the Passerini's Tanager has a red rump. Not many birds in Costa Rica are named after people, but this is one. Both live in the same habitat.

Golden-hooded Tanager

Here's where you get dazzled by bright feathers - the Golden-hooded Tanager...

Silver-throated Tanager

...and the Silver-throated Tanager. There was another, the Spangle-cheeked Tanager which sparkled in the sun, but I didn't get a photo of it. It's hard to decide which birds are my favorite from the trip, but the Tanagers are right up there at the top.