this is the wonderfully ornate golden-eared tanager! if eBird's search function is to be believed, it's the only bird whose (English, at least) common name comes from the color of its ear feathers! lives on the east slope of the Andes. while it ranges all the way from northern Colombia to central Bolivia, it occurs at such a particular altitude that its habitat is in fact considered rather restricted, that being between 1,100 and 1,700 meters (between 3,600 and 5,600 feet). they're rather elusive and stay high in the canopy, but their case is helped by their brilliant plumage, distinct from all other birds within its range. a common member of mixed-species foraging flocks, travelling together through the forest in search of insects and fruiting trees. on occasion, these fellows show up at fruit feeders to indulge in the human-cultivated wonder that is banana.
while it remains difficult to study, its handsome plumage seems to be quite the muse for birders. in fact, there seem to be entire birding tours dedicated largely to tanagers - I imagine the clade's vibrant plumage as enabled by their diverse diet makes them a bucket-list subject for photographers. what i reckon is likely is that, with all that sun, the plants can afford to prioritize an arms-race to make the most appealing pigment for local frugivores. and the frugivores can incorporate these pigments into their own coloration! but what do i know. i'm just some person(?) on the internet
2 July 2026
