The white-capped tanager (Sericossypha albocristata) is a South American bird in the tanager family Thraupidae. It is the only member of the genus Sericossypha. It lives in humid Andean forest in groups of up to 20 individuals. Flocks of these tanagers stay in tight formation, often foraging from tree to tree together. They may eat fruits, seeds, hymenoptera, and coleoptera.
| White-capped tanager | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Thraupidae |
| Genus: | Sericossypha Lesson, 1844 |
| Species: | S. albocristata |
| Binomial name | |
| Sericossypha albocristata (Lafresnaye, 1843) | |
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Taxonomy
editThe white-capped tanager was formally described in 1843 by the French ornithologist Frédéric de Lafresnaye under the Latin name Tangara (Lamprotes) albo-cristatus.[2][3] The species is now the only species placed in the genus Sericossypha that was introduced in 1844 by René Lesson.[4][5] The genus name combines the Ancient Greek sērikos meaning "silken" with kossuphos meaning "blackbird". The specific epithet albocristata is formed from the Latin albus meaning "white" with cristatus meaning "crested" or "plumed".[6] The species is monotypic: no subspecies are recognised.[5]
Description
editThe white-capped tanager is one of the largest tanagers, being the heaviest bird in the family, but not the longest. It weighs in at 114 g (4 oz) and reaches a length of 24 cm (9.5 in). This species is glossy black overall with a large white crown and a red throat. It has a striking and unmistakable coloration, with an overall glossy black plumage, contrasting with a bright red throat and large white crown. The throat is brightest in adult males, with females having duskier throats that approach purple in their coloration.[7]
Distribution and habitat
editThe white-capped tanager is a Neotropical endemic that occurs in Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Peru at elevations of 1600–3200 m. It inhabits both slopes of the Andes at different regions in its range.[7]
See also
edit- Magpie tanager – the longest species in the tanager family
References
edit- ↑ BirdLife International (2018). "Sericossypha albocristata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018 e.T22722156A132150808. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22722156A132150808.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ↑ de Lafresnaye, Frédéric (1843). "Description de quelques oiseaux nouveaux de Colombie". Revue Zoologique (in French). 6: 131–133 [132].
- ↑ Paynter, Raymond A. Jr, ed. (1970). Check-List of Birds of the World. Vol. 13. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Museum of Comparative Zoology. p. 254.
- ↑ Lesson, René (1844). "Catalogue des oiseaux nouveaux ou peu connus de la collection Abeillé". L'Echo du Monde Savant (in French). Part 2. Col. 302.
- 1 2 Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (July 2020). "Tanagers and allies". IOC World Bird List Version 10.2. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
- ↑ Jobling, James A. (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. pp. 39, 354. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.
- 1 2 Swing, Kenzie; Burns, Kevin J.; Richart, Casey H. (2020-03-04), Billerman, Shawn M.; Keeney, Brooke K.; Rodewald, Paul G.; Schulenberg, Thomas S. (eds.), "White-capped Tanager (Sericossypha albocristata)", Birds of the World, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, doi:10.2173/bow.whctan1.01, retrieved 2026-05-31