Birds diurnal

Brassy-breasted Tanager

Tangara desmaresti

A shimmering jewel of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, the Brassy-breasted Tanager dazzles with its metallic orange chest and golden face. These social birds bring a burst of high-energy color to any backyard forest edge or mountain balcony.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Approximately 13 cm (5.1 inches) in length; weighing between 19-22 grams (0.67-0.78 oz)

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Colors

Brilliant brassy-orange throat and breast; bright yellow face and forehead; green upperparts with black feather centers creating a scaled effect; blue-edged wings and tail. Males and females are monomorphic (look identical).

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Key Features

Distinctive brassy-orange chest and throat
Bright yellow face and forehead
Green back with black 'scaled' patterning
Short, stout black bill

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 6:00 AM – 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM

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Season Year-round, with increased sightings at lower elevations during the austral winter (June-August).

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Diet Omnivorous; primarily feeds on small fruits and berries (especially from the Melastomataceae family) but also consumes insects and spiders gleaned from foliage.

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Habitat Subtropical and tropical moist montane forests and forest edges, typically at elevations between 800 and 2,200 meters.

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Behavior

The Brassy-breasted Tanager is a high-energy, social bird that is rarely seen alone. They are quintessential members of mixed-species foraging flocks, often seen moving alongside other tanagers and honeycreepers through the canopy of the Atlantic Forest. Their movements are quick and acrobatic, frequently hanging upside down to reach small berries or inspecting the undersides of leaves for hidden insects.

While they are primarily forest dwellers, they are known to be quite bold around human habitation, provided there is sufficient tree cover nearby. They are frequent visitors to bird feeders in mountain towns within their range. Their vocalizations are thin, high-pitched 'seep' notes that help the flock stay coordinated as they move rapidly through the dense foliage.

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Camera Tips

To capture the stunning iridescent feathers of the Brassy-breasted Tanager, placement is everything. These birds are canopy dwellers by nature, so mounting your camera at eye level or higher is crucial. If you have a balcony or a sloping backyard that looks into the mid-story of the trees, place your camera there. They are much less likely to visit a camera placed near the ground. Avoid deep shade; try to position the camera where it will catch the morning sun, which makes their metallic orange breast truly 'glow' in photos.

Luring this species is relatively easy if you live within their range. They are highly attracted to fruit platforms. Bananas and halved papayas are their favorite treats. To get the best shots, use a 'fruit spike' or a heavy branch as a perch just in front of the camera lens. This encourages the bird to land and pose in a specific spot rather than hopping erratically all over the feeder. If you use a motion-activated camera, set the sensitivity to high, as these birds move very quickly and can enter and exit the frame in a split second.

Because the Brassy-breasted Tanager is so active, motion blur can be an issue. Use a fast shutter speed (at least 1/1000s) if your camera allows manual overrides. If you are using a trail camera for video, set it to record in short 10-15 second bursts in 4K resolution. This allows you to capture the rapid 'gleaning' behavior and the way they interact with other species in their flock. During the cooler months of June and July, they often descend to slightly lower altitudes, making this the peak time to attract them to suburban backyard setups.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Brassy-breasted Tanager.

Gilt-edged Tanager

Has a yellow-gold breast and head but lacks the deep, metallic orange 'brassy' throat of the Brassy-breasted.

Burnished-buff Tanager

Features more uniform buff/tan underparts and lacks the bright yellow facial markings and scaled back pattern.

Golden-chevroned Tanager

Larger with a blue-gray body and a distinct yellow patch on the wing 'shoulder' rather than an orange breast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brassy-breasted Tanagers are most active in the early morning, shortly after sunrise until about 10:00 AM. They have a second, slightly less intense peak of activity in the late afternoon as they forage before roosting.

The best way to attract them is by offering fresh fruit like bananas, papayas, and oranges on an elevated platform feeder. Having native berry-producing trees and a reliable water source like a birdbath will also encourage them to visit.

Their diet consists of a mix of small fruits, berries, and insects. They are particularly fond of the small fruits from shrubs in the Melastome family and will often hunt for spiders and larvae among the leaves.

They are common in suburban areas only if those areas are adjacent to montane forests in Southeastern Brazil. They require significant tree cover and are most frequently seen in 'garden cities' located in mountainous regions.

Look specifically for the 'brassy' orange-gold throat and breast. Similar species like the Gilt-edged Tanager have more yellow on the underparts, while the Brassy-breasted has a very specific metallic orange-to-copper tone on its chest.

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