Birds Active during the day

Multicolored Tanager

Chlorochrysa nitidissima

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

Endemic to the misty cloud forests of Colombia, the Multicolored Tanager is widely considered one of the most beautiful birds in South America. Its vibrant, multi-colored plumage makes it a crown jewel for any backyard observer in its native range.

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Quick Identification

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Size

12-13 cm (4.7-5.1 inches) in length; approximately 18-22 grams (0.6-0.8 oz)

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Colors

A complex palette of bright yellow crown and mantle, emerald green wings, electric blue rump, and orange-chestnut ear patches. The throat and chest center feature a distinctive black patch.

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Key Features

Golden-yellow crown and nape
Distinctive chestnut-orange patches behind the eyes
Jet-black throat and belly center
Vibrant emerald green wings and blue rump

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 6:30 AM - 10:00 AM, 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Primarily frugivorous, focusing on small fruits of Melastomataceae and Cecropia trees, but also regularly consumes insects gleaned from moss and bark.

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Habitat Subtropical cloud forests, mature secondary forests, and forest edges in mountain ranges.

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Where Does the Multicolored Tanager Live?

This spectacular bird is a South American treasure found exclusively in the mountains of Colombia. It is a narrow-range endemic, meaning it lives nowhere else on Earth except for the Western and Central Andes. Within this region, it inhabits specific subtropical slopes where the climate remains humid and the forest cover is dense.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

1 Countries

10K km² Range

Vulnerable Conservation

CO Colombia

Marginal

Elevation range

0 m1,000 m2,000 m4,000 m

1,300 m – 2,200 m

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Multicolored Tanager is an energetic and restless bird that brings a flash of color to the Colombian cloud forests. They are highly social and are rarely seen alone; instead, they usually travel in pairs or join larger mixed-species foraging flocks. Within these flocks, they move quickly through the middle and upper levels of the canopy, often performing acrobatic maneuvers to reach food.

These birds are known for their 'gleaning' foraging style, where they hop along mossy branches to find hidden insects or hang upside down to pluck small berries. While generally shy in the wild, they have become somewhat habituated to ecotourism sites in Colombia, where they may visit fruit feeders alongside other tropical species. Their vocalizations are relatively quiet, consisting of high-pitched, thin 'tsip' notes that blend into the sounds of the misty forest.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the Multicolored Tanager requires a camera setup tailored for high-humidity, low-light environments. Because they spend most of their time in the canopy, you will have the best luck placing your AI-powered camera near a forest edge or a known 'hotspot' like a fruiting Miconia tree. If you are on a property with a bird feeding station, position the camera at eye level with the feeder, roughly 3 to 5 feet away, to capture the intricate details of their multi-hued plumage.

Baiting with native fruits like bananas or papayas is the most effective way to draw them down from the high canopy. When setting up your camera, prioritize a fast shutter speed or a high-sensitivity motion sensor; these birds are incredibly twitchy and rarely stay still for more than a second or two. A 'burst' or 'multi-shot' setting is essential to ensure you get at least one clear frame between their rapid hops.

Be mindful of the morning fog common in the Colombian Andes, which can obscure your lens. Using a camera with a protective housing and a small lens hood can help prevent condensation. The best lighting occurs during the 'golden hours' of early morning when the sun hits the upper slopes, as this light brings out the iridescence in their emerald wings and blue rump that might otherwise look dark in deep shade.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Multicolored Tanager.

Glistening-green Tanager

Almost entirely bright emerald green without the yellow crown or orange ear patches of the Multicolored Tanager.

Golden-naped Tanager

Has a golden nape but lacks the bright yellow mantle and features much more black on the face and wings.

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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. During these times, they are most vocal and active in foraging flocks.

If you live within their specific elevation range in Colombia, planting native fruiting trees like Melastomes or providing a clean fruit feeder with bananas can attract them. They prefer areas with dense natural cover nearby.

Their diet is a mix of small tropical fruits and insects. They are particularly fond of berries from the melastome family and will also glean larvae and small spiders from moss-covered branches.

No, they are quite specialized. They are generally restricted to well-preserved cloud forests and forest edges. However, homes or lodges located on the edges of these mountain forests may see them frequently.

Look for the bright yellow mantle (back) and the distinct chestnut-orange patches on the side of the head. Most other green tanagers lack the bright yellow and orange combination seen on this species.

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