paradise tanager

bird

Also known as: Tangara chilensis, siete colores

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 11, 2026

Quick Summary

The paradise tanager (Tangara chilensis) is a bird species found in the tropical forests of the New World, specifically in South America. It is part of the tanager family (Thraupidae), which includes over 400 species known for their vibrant plumage in colors like red, yellow, green, blue, and black. The paradise tanager is noted for its striking appearance, with seven different hues including green, scarlet, and purple, earning it the Spanish name siete colores (seven colors). These birds are typically 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8 inches) long and primarily feed on fruit, though some species also consume insects.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

4 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

tanager
An example is the paradise tanager (T. chilensis), called siete colores (Spanish) from its seven hues, including green, scarlet, and purple. The euphonias (Tanagra species) are found from Mexico southward; they should not be confused with Tangara species (above). Of the eight species of Thraupis, the blue, or blue-gray,…
Read More
An example is the paradise tanager (T. chilensis), called siete colores (Spanish) from its seven hues, including green, scarlet, and purple. The euphonias (Tanagra species) are found from Mexico southward; they should not be confused with Tangara species (above). Of the eight species of Thraupis, the blue, or blue-gray,…
Read More