blue tanager

The blue tanager, also known as the blue-gray tanager (Thraupis episcopus), is a songbird belonging to the family Thraupidae. These birds are native to the tropical forests and gardens of the New World, with their range extending from Mexico to Peru. They are also found introduced in Florida.

Blue tanagers are typically 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8 inches) in length and are noted for their vibrant plumage, often featuring brilliant blues. While the sexes may have similar coloration, females can sometimes be duller than males. These birds are primarily arboreal, inhabiting treetops and shrubbery. Their diet consists mainly of fruit, supplemented by insects. They exhibit varied nesting behaviors, typically laying two to four eggs per clutch.1