Palm Tanager
Thraupis palmarum
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Palm Tanager is a small, drab bird with smoky brown to olive plumage. Its body shows subtle glossy tones, though in poor light, it can appear rather plain. The wings feature blackish flight feathers and a pale olive-yellow wingband, most visible during flight.
Both males and females look very similar. Juveniles resemble adults but appear duller overall.
Size
Length
16cm to 18cm
Wingspan
25cm to 28cm
Weight
27g to 48g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Green Grey
Secondary Colour
Yellow
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Grey
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Palm Tanagers are widely distributed across South and Central America, from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. They inhabit a range of tropical and subtropical forests, including rainforests, secondary growth, and palm groves.
These adaptable birds are also common in urban and suburban areas with sufficient tree cover, particularly where palm trees are present. They are year-round residents throughout their range, showing no significant seasonal movements.
Elevation Range
Up to 1,500 meters
Climate zones
Tropical, Subtropical
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Palm Tanager. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Palm Tanager displays remarkable agility, expertly manoeuvring through palm fronds and tree canopies with quick, precise movements. Their ability to hop and flit efficiently whilst foraging demonstrates excellent spatial awareness and coordination.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Whilst not particularly powerful for their size, Palm Tanagers possess adequate strength for their lifestyle. Their ability to handle fruits and maintain stable flight suggests moderate strength, typical for a small passerine of their dimensions.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Highly adaptable birds that thrive across diverse habitats from rainforests to urban areas. Their varied diet of fruits, insects, and nectar, combined with their ability to colonise human-modified environments, showcases exceptional adaptability.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Generally peaceful birds that form social groups and show limited territorial aggression. Whilst they will defend their nests and may engage in minor disputes, they're not notably aggressive compared to other species.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
These birds maintain active lifestyles throughout the day, regularly foraging and moving between feeding sites. Their ability to sustain regular activity and their successful colonisation across wide geographical ranges indicates solid endurance, though not exceptional by avian standards.
Diet
Palm Tanagers have a varied diet consisting primarily of fruits, especially small berries and palm fruits. They supplement their fruit intake with insects, particularly during breeding season.
These birds are often seen probing flowers for nectar and small arthropods, showcasing their adaptable feeding habits.
Behaviour
Palm Tanagers are known for their agile movements, often seen hopping and flitting through palm fronds and tree canopies.
They are social birds, frequently found in pairs or small groups. These tanagers are not shy around humans and often visit gardens and urban areas with suitable vegetation.
Vocalisation
The Palm Tanager's vocalisations are characterised by high-pitched, squeaky notes. Their song is a series of thin, reedy 'tsee-tsee-tsee' sounds, often repeated in quick succession. When alarmed or during territorial disputes, they emit sharp, staccato 'chik' calls.
Nesting & Breeding
Palm Tanagers typically breed during the rainy season, which varies across their range. Pairs form monogamous bonds and work together in nest building and chick rearing.
The nest is a cup-shaped structure made of plant fibres, often placed in the crown of a palm tree or the fork of a tree branch. Females usually lay 2-3 pale blue or greenish eggs with brown speckles.
Incubation lasts about 12-14 days, with both parents sharing duties. Chicks fledge after approximately 15-20 days but may remain dependent on their parents for several more weeks.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
The Palm Tanager is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN due to its large range and stable population. However, like many tropical species, it faces localised threats from deforestation and habitat degradation.
Conservation efforts focus on preserving its diverse habitats across South and Central America.
Population Data
Global Population Estimate
Not quantified, but described as common
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Palm Tanagers in palm trees and fruiting plants in gardens and parks.
- Listen for their high-pitched, squeaky calls to locate them in dense foliage.
- Observe their behaviour around fruiting trees, where they often gather in small groups.
- Check the edges of forests and clearings, where they frequently forage.
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Palmiste, Pipira-verde, Green Jean
Family:
ThraupidaePredators
Palm Tanagers face predation from various raptors, including hawks and falcons. Snakes and larger arboreal mammals also pose threats, especially to eggs and nestlings.
Did You Know?
- Palm Tanagers are excellent dispersers of palm seeds, playing a crucial role in forest ecology.
- They have been observed using ants to 'ant-bathe', a behaviour thought to help control parasites.
- Despite their name, Palm Tanagers are not exclusively tied to palm trees and thrive in various habitats.
References
- 1 2
website: BirdLife International. 2018. Tangara palmarum. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22722546A132155296.
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