Birds diurnal

Flame-rumped Tanager

Ramphocelus flammigerus

An endemic treasure of Colombia, the Flame-rumped Tanager dazzles with its high-contrast velvet black and scarlet plumage. A social and bold visitor to garden feeders, it offers a spectacular display of tropical color for any backyard observer.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Approximately 18-19 cm (7-7.5 inches) in length; weighs between 28-34 grams (1-1.2 oz).

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Colors

Males are primarily a deep, velvety black with a brilliant, glowing scarlet or flame-orange lower back and rump. Females are more subtle, featuring dusky brownish-black upperparts, a pale yellowish-orange rump, and dull yellow underparts.

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Key Features

Velvety jet-black plumage on males
Intense scarlet or fire-orange patch on the lower back
Thick, silvery-blue bill with a dark tip
Social behavior, often seen in groups of 3-6
Females show a distinct yellowish breast and orange-tinged rump

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 6-10 AM and 3-5 PM

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Season Year-round, with peak breeding and high activity usually occurring between February and August.

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Diet Omnivorous with a heavy preference for fruit (frugivorous). They frequently eat bananas, papayas, and berries, but will also glean insects and spiders from leaves to provide protein, especially during the nesting season.

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Habitat Semi-open woodlands, forest edges, second-growth forests, and suburban gardens or fruit orchards.

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Behavior

The Flame-rumped Tanager is a highly social and energetic bird, rarely seen alone. They typically travel in small, noisy family groups or join mixed-species foraging flocks as they move through the mid-canopy and garden edges. Their movements are jerky and alert, often accompanied by a series of sharp 'cheep' calls that help the group stay coordinated while moving through dense foliage.

These birds are remarkably adapted to human presence and are a common sight in Colombian gardens and coffee plantations. They are bold foragers and aren't easily spooked by nearby activity, making them excellent subjects for backyard observation. During the breeding season, males can be seen performing simple displays, fluffing their scarlet rump feathers to signal to females or defend their small territories from rival males.

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Camera Tips

To capture the stunning contrast of the Flame-rumped Tanager's plumage, position your camera near a reliable fruit source. Setting up a platform feeder with overripe bananas or halved papayas is the most effective way to draw them into frame. Place the feeder in a 'dappled light' area—direct, harsh midday sun can blow out the bright red rump colors on digital sensors, while soft morning light brings out the velvety texture of their black feathers.

Mount your AI-powered camera at eye level, roughly 5 to 7 feet off the ground, aiming at a natural 'staging' branch located about 2 feet away from the feeder. These birds rarely fly directly onto a feeder; they prefer to land on a nearby twig to survey the area first. Capturing them on this natural perch results in much more professional-looking wildlife photography than a shot of them buried inside a fruit bowl.

Because these tanagers move with quick, sudden hops, use a fast shutter speed or a 'Sports' mode setting if your camera allows. If you are using a trigger-based trail camera, set the capture interval to the shortest possible delay, as these birds often visit in groups; a single trigger might miss the rest of the family following the leader. Ensure the background is at least 10 feet behind the perch to create a beautiful bokeh effect that makes the flame-colored rump truly pop.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Flame-rumped Tanager.

Lemon-rumped Tanager

Virtually identical in shape and behavior, but features a bright yellow rump instead of the fiery red found on the Flame-rumped.

Crimson-backed Tanager

The Crimson-backed has a much larger area of red covering the entire back and breast, and a very conspicuous white lower mandible.

Cherrie's Tanager

Found in Costa Rica and Panama; the male has a scarlet rump like the Flame-rumped, but the female has a distinctive orange chest band.

Frequently Asked Questions

They are most active in the early morning shortly after sunrise (around 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM) and again in the late afternoon before dusk. These are the best times to find them foraging at garden feeders.

The most effective way to attract them is by providing fresh fruit. They are particularly fond of bananas, plantains, and papayas placed on an open platform feeder. Planting native fruiting shrubs like Melastomes will also encourage them to visit.

Their diet consists primarily of tropical fruits and berries. However, they also hunt for small insects, larvae, and spiders, which they glean from the undersides of leaves to supplement their sugar-rich diet with protein.

Yes, within their limited range in western Colombia, they are very well-adapted to suburban environments, gardens, and cleared agricultural areas, provided there are some trees and a steady food supply.

The primary difference is the color of the rump patch. The Flame-rumped Tanager (R. flammigerus) has a bright scarlet or fiery orange patch, while the Lemon-rumped Tanager (R. icteronotus) has a bright lemon-yellow patch. They were once considered the same species but are now often treated as distinct.

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