Birds diurnal

Grass-green Tanager

Chlorornis riefferii

With its radiant neon plumage and striking chestnut mask, the Grass-green Tanager is the crown jewel of the Andean cloud forest. A social and energetic songbird, it brings a flash of brilliant color to the misty mountain treeline.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 20 cm (8 inches); Weight: 50–55 g (1.8–1.9 oz)

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Colors

Brilliant grass-green body; distinctive chestnut-red mask covering the face and throat; bright orange-red bill and legs.

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Key Features

Vivid neon-green plumage across the entire body
Deep chestnut-red face and throat mask
Bright orange or coral-colored bill and legs
Stocky, medium-sized tanager build
Only found in high-altitude Andean cloud forests

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 6:30 AM - 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Primarily frugivorous, favoring small berries and melastome fruits, but will also glean insects from moss and bromeliads.

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Habitat High-altitude montane cloud forests and forest edges, typically between 1,800 and 3,300 meters.

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Behavior

The Grass-green Tanager is a charismatic and highly active resident of the humid Andean cloud forests. Unlike many other tanagers that stay hidden in the high canopy, this species is often found in the middle levels of the forest, vigorously searching for food among moss-covered branches. They are social birds, usually seen in pairs or small family groups, and they frequently serve as the 'nucleus' for mixed-species foraging flocks, leading other birds through the misty undergrowth.

While they are not typically shy around human-inhabited areas near forest edges, they are restless and constantly on the move. They have a distinctive way of hopping through dense foliage and hanging acrobatically to reach berries. Their presence is often announced by high-pitched, squeaky calls that cut through the mountain mist, making them a favorite for birdwatchers and camera enthusiasts in high-altitude regions.

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Camera Tips

To capture the stunning Grass-green Tanager, your camera placement is everything. Since these birds favor the mossy mid-story of cloud forests, position your camera 5 to 8 feet off the ground, ideally facing a horizontal, moss-covered branch or a fruiting bush like Miconia. These birds are attracted to the color red, so if you have a bird feeder or a platform, placing a few native red berries can act as a natural lure. Avoid placing the camera in direct, harsh sunlight; the soft, diffused light of a cloudy Andean morning actually helps prevent the bird's neon-green feathers from 'blowing out' or looking overexposed in your shots.

Because they move with sudden, jerky motions, set your AI camera to a high shutter speed or 'Action' mode if available. A 'Photo Burst' setting of 3-5 frames is highly recommended to catch that perfect moment when they reveal their chestnut throat. If you are using a trail camera, ensure the PIR (passive infrared) sensor is set to high sensitivity, as these birds are relatively small and move quickly across the frame. Angle the camera slightly downward if you are placing it near a known bathing spot, such as a water-filled bromeliad or a shallow forest seep.

For the best results, focus on the edges of clearings or near garden borders if you live in a high-altitude 'finca.' They are creatures of habit and will often return to the same fruiting tree day after day until the food source is depleted. If your camera supports video, use at least 60fps to capture the fluid, acrobatic way they hang upside down to feed. During the misty rainy season, the contrast between their bright green feathers and the gray fog makes for spectacular, moody footage that really highlights their unique coloration.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Grass-green Tanager.

Beryl-spangled Tanager

Smaller with black 'spangles' or spotting on the plumage and a black mask instead of a chestnut one.

Blue-and-black Tanager

Shares the same habitat but has blue-heavy plumage and a black face, lacking the uniform grass-green color.

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 when they feed heavily before dusk.

If you live in high-altitude South America, planting native fruiting shrubs like Melastomataceae or offering a platform feeder with fresh fruit can attract them. They are also drawn to moving water features.

Their diet consists mainly of small forest fruits and berries. However, they also spend significant time 'acrobatic foraging,' picking insects and larvae out of moss, orchids, and bromeliads.

They are generally limited to suburban areas that directly border high-altitude montane forests or cloud forests. They are not typical city birds and require significant native vegetation.

Look for the unique chestnut-red face and throat paired with an entirely grass-green body. Most other green tanagers in their range have different mask colors or spotting on their feathers.

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