Blue-Necked Tanager vs Blue-and-Yellow Tanager

Blue-Necked Tanager

Stilpnia cyanicollis

How to recognise a blue-necked tanager?

General appearance

The blue-necked tanager is a medium-sized bird characterized by striking, vibrant colors. Its name derives from its royal blue throat and chest. The rest of the body is mainly turquoise and green with varying shades. Its beak is short and quite sharp.

Male vs female

In the case of the blue-necked tanager, both males and females share a similar appearance with no significant differences. Both sexes exhibit the same bright blue neck and chest, and multicolored body. There's little to no sexual dimorphism, making them difficult to differentiate in the wild.

Juvenile

Juvenile blue-necked tanagers have a duller coloration compared to adults, often appearing more green than blue. While they share the same basic color pattern, their feathers lack the vibrant shine and intense colors of the adults. As they mature, their plumage will gradually brighten to match that of the adult birds.

Size

4.3 - 5.1 in/0.6 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The Blue-necked Tanager primarily inhabits tropical lowland forests, from sea level up to 2,500m. They are typically found in the canopy.

Additional range

Can also be found in gardens, plantations, and scrubland areas. Its range spreads throughout South America including Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, and Bolivia.

Range Map

What do blue-necked tanagers like to eat?

Natural diet

The blue-necked tanager primarily feeds on a variety of fruits, berries, and insects. It forages through trees and bushes, consuming ripe fruits such as berries, figs, and other small tropical fruits. Insects, including beetles and caterpillars, provide essential proteins, making up a significant part of its diet, especially during the breeding season.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, the blue-necked tanager is attracted to offerings of fresh fruits and sugar water. It favors sliced bananas, papayas, and pieces of melon. Nectar feeders also attract these birds, mimicking the sweet nectar from flowers they naturally consume. Rarely, they may try seeds, though these are not a staple of their diet.

What does a blue-necked tanager sound like?

The blue-necked tanager has a diverse repertoire of vocalizations. Its typical song is a rapid, high-pitched, melodic trill that lasts for 2-3 seconds, often compared to the sound of a sizzling pan. This tanager's common calls include short, sharp "tsip" or "seee" notes and quiet chirps. It also makes a distinct buzzy "tzeee" sound during flight. These vocalizations are often used for communication and during courtship rituals. Overall, the blue-necked tanager's voice is considered loud and lively.

Call

Audio by Niels Krabbe

/ CC BY-SA 4.0

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Blue-and-Yellow Tanager

Rauenia bonariensis

How to recognise a blue-and-yellow tanager?

General appearance

The blue-and-yellow tanager is a small, vibrant bird with striking coloration. It features a cobalt blue head and back, contrasted by a bright yellow belly and chest. The wings have a mix of dark blue and green, and its tail is predominantly blue. The bird's eyes are dark, and its beak is short and conical.

Male vs female

Males generally have a more vivid coloration compared to females. While both sexes share the blue and yellow pattern, the females tend to have duller shades and may appear slightly greener. This sexual dimorphism is subtle, often requiring close observation in natural light to distinguish.

Juvenile

Juvenile blue-and-yellow tanagers resemble adult females but are even less vibrant. The young birds are often more greenish-blue on the head and back, with a paler yellow belly. As they mature, the coloration intensifies. In the wild, juveniles can be seen following adults, gradually adopting the adult plumage without significant seasonal variation.

Size

6.1 - 7.5 in/0.9 - 1.6 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The blue-and-yellow tanager is primarily found in humid forest edges and gardens in South America. It prefers subtropical and tropical moist lowland forests.

Additional range

Unexpectedly, it can also inhabit urban areas and dry forests, showcasing adaptability beyond its typical moist environment.

Range Map

What do blue-and-yellow tanagers like to eat?

Natural diet

The blue-and-yellow tanager primarily feeds on a variety of fruits, berries, and seeds found in its natural habitat. It also consumes insects and other small invertebrates for protein. This diet helps them meet their nutritional requirements for energy and growth, as they thrive in tropical forests where these resources are abundant.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, blue-and-yellow tanagers are often attracted to fruits like sliced bananas, papayas, and oranges. They may also enjoy specialized seed mixes or suet designed for fruit-eating birds. Providing such food sources can encourage them to visit and feed, supplementing their natural diet.

What does a blue-and-yellow tanager sound like?

The blue-and-yellow tanager's vocalizations are characterized by high-pitched, clear, and melodic calls and songs. Its typical song is a series of sweet, persistent whistles with a rhythmic quality, resembling a delicate musical pattern. The calls are often short and sharp, functioning as contact or alarm signals. The bird may also emit softer calls when foraging or interacting with others. Overall, its vocal repertoire is harmonious and bright, contributing to the avian soundscape of its natural habitat.

Song

Audio by Richard E. Webster

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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Blue-Necked Tanager

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Blue-and-Yellow Tanager

Blue-Necked Tanager

Stilpnia cyanicollis

General appearance

The blue-necked tanager is a medium-sized bird characterized by striking, vibrant colors. Its name derives from its royal blue throat and chest. The rest of the body is mainly turquoise and green with varying shades. Its beak is short and quite sharp.

Male vs female

In the case of the blue-necked tanager, both males and females share a similar appearance with no significant differences. Both sexes exhibit the same bright blue neck and chest, and multicolored body. There's little to no sexual dimorphism, making them difficult to differentiate in the wild.

Juvenile

Juvenile blue-necked tanagers have a duller coloration compared to adults, often appearing more green than blue. While they share the same basic color pattern, their feathers lack the vibrant shine and intense colors of the adults. As they mature, their plumage will gradually brighten to match that of the adult birds.

Size

4.3 - 5.1 in/0.6 oz

There's more to learn about Blue-Necked Tanager

View full details

Blue-and-Yellow Tanager

Rauenia bonariensis

General appearance

The blue-and-yellow tanager is a small, vibrant bird with striking coloration. It features a cobalt blue head and back, contrasted by a bright yellow belly and chest. The wings have a mix of dark blue and green, and its tail is predominantly blue. The bird's eyes are dark, and its beak is short and conical.

Male vs female

Males generally have a more vivid coloration compared to females. While both sexes share the blue and yellow pattern, the females tend to have duller shades and may appear slightly greener. This sexual dimorphism is subtle, often requiring close observation in natural light to distinguish.

Juvenile

Juvenile blue-and-yellow tanagers resemble adult females but are even less vibrant. The young birds are often more greenish-blue on the head and back, with a paler yellow belly. As they mature, the coloration intensifies. In the wild, juveniles can be seen following adults, gradually adopting the adult plumage without significant seasonal variation.

Size

6.1 - 7.5 in/0.9 - 1.6 oz

There's more to learn about Blue-and-Yellow Tanager

View full details

How to tell the Blue-Necked Tanager from the Blue-and-Yellow Tanager

Visual differences

The Blue-Necked Tanager is smaller (4.3-5.1 inches, 0.56-0.63 ounces) with a vibrant turquoise and green body accented by a royal blue throat and chest. It has a short, sharp beak. The Blue-and-Yellow Tanager is larger (6.1-7.5 inches, 0.86-1.64 ounces), featuring a cobalt blue head and back contrasted with a bright yellow chest and belly. Its beak is short and conical. The Blue-Necked Tanager shows little sexual dimorphism, whereas the Blue-and-Yellow Tanager males are more vividly colored than the females.

Key differences and behavior

The Blue-Necked Tanager (Stilpnia cyanicollis) and Blue-and-Yellow Tanager (Rauenia bonariensis) exhibit distinct behaviors, aiding field distinction. The Blue-Necked Tanager inhabits tropical lowlands and often visits gardens, while the Blue-and-Yellow Tanager prefers forest edges but adapts to urban areas. While both species perform vivid courtship displays, the Blue-Necked Tanager, involving family in chick rearing, differs socially from the Blue-and-Yellow, commonly foraging in pairs or small groups. The Blue-Necked diet emphasizes fruits and insects, often utilizing fruit feeders, mirroring the Blue-and-Yellow’s preference for fruits and seeds. Breeding involves similar nesting: cup-shaped, in dense foliage, but the Blue-Necked relies on cooperative care. Both use fruits and insects for feeding chicks. Size contrasts are striking, the Blue-Necked being 0.4-0.5 oz (4.5-5.0 inches), while the Blue-and-Yellow varies significantly; 0.9-1.6 oz (6.1-7.5 inches), influencing energy requirements and visibility.

Still not sure? Here are more lookalikes!

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Blue-Necked Tanager or Blue-and-Yellow Tanager?

Blue-Necked Tanager

How to recognise a blue-necked tanager?

Habitat

What do blue-necked tanagers like to eat?

What does a blue-necked tanager sound like?

Call

There's more to learn about Blue-Necked Tanager

Blue-and-Yellow Tanager

How to recognise a blue-and-yellow tanager?

Habitat

What do blue-and-yellow tanagers like to eat?

What does a blue-and-yellow tanager sound like?

Song

There's more to learn about Blue-and-Yellow Tanager

Blue-Necked Tanager

There's more to learn about Blue-Necked Tanager

Blue-and-Yellow Tanager

There's more to learn about Blue-and-Yellow Tanager

How to tell the Blue-Necked Tanager from the Blue-and-Yellow Tanager

Visual differences

Key differences and behavior

Still not sure? Here are more lookalikes!

Blue-Necked Tanager vs Scrub Tanager

Blue-Necked Tanager

Scrub Tanager

Blue-Necked Tanager vs Golden-Chevroned Tanager

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Golden-Chevroned Tanager

Blue-Necked Tanager vs Sayaca Tanager

Blue-Necked Tanager

Sayaca Tanager

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Blue-Necked Tanager

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Blue-and-Yellow Tanager vs [Select a bird]

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