The Spotted Tanager (Tangara punctata) is a brightly colorful songbird from the tanager family Thraupidae. These South American birds can be seen darting through the canopy of montane and lowland rainforests in Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.

As the nаme implies, the Spotted Tanager has a striking plumage pattern. Its upper body is often a deep green, with a contrasting whitish underside. The defining feature, however, is the sprinkling of dusky speckles on both its upper and lower body, which earned it the nаme “Spotted.”

These birds are known to be insectivores, meaning they mostly forage for insects in the rainforest canopy. They can also boost their diet with fruits and seeds. Their calls are described as brief, high-pitched whistles and chirps, which contribute to the rainforest’s symphony of noises.

The Spotted Tanager is divided into five subspecies, each with slightly different plumage and geographic distribution.

If you ever find yourself visiting South America’s beautiful rainforests, keep a look out for the Spotted Tanager, with its darting movement and speckled plumage. Their brilliant colors and energetic presence will bring a sense of amazement to your jungle adventure.