National Aquarium - Turquoise Tanager
Balt, MD

Turquoise tanager

Tangara mexicana

DID YOU KNOW?

Despite its scientific name, the turquoise tanager is not found in Mexico or anywhere in Central America.

Exhibit Name and Location:
Baltimore - Upland Tropical Rain Forest

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Balt, MD

Turquoise tanager

The turquoise tanager is a brightly colored bird with a strikingly blue face and breast and yellow or white underside. It lives in humid lowland forests, foraging for insects and fruit beneath the forest canopy. The turquoise tanager is a highly social bird and up to four or five individuals will help to feed nestlings.

Diet

The turquoise tanager eats mainly fruit and insects.

Size

Up to six inches.

Range

This bird is native to much of South America, including Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.

Population Status

This species is not threatened.

Predators

Birds of prey are the main predator of adults. Snakes and other animals may predate on eggs and chicks.

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A Note From the Caretaker

We identify our individual tanagers by different colored bands on their legs. These tanagers are very vocal in the exhibit and often fly together in a small flock from one tree to another. The females are often spotted carrying nest building material.