Paradise Tanager

Tangara chilensis

Seven distinct colors, one bird. Scientists still argue over why evolution went this far.

Population: Not numerically quantified globally; BirdLife/IUCN describe it as common across an extensive range (EOO ~6,380,000 km²), with an overall decreasing population trend driven by Amazonian deforestation (suspected habitat loss 12.5-14.2% over 15 years, projected decline <25% over three generations — not steep enough for a threatened listing)
Habitat: Humid tropical and subtropical lowland forest (primarily moist lowland forest), forest edge, várzea (seasonally flooded) forest, swamp forest, secondary growth, plantations and clearings; occurs from sea level up to about 2,130 m elevation
Fun fact: The Paradise Tanager's jewel-like blue, green, red and black plumage gets its intensity from structural coloration layered over black or white base feathers, rather than from pigment alone.
Range: Amazon Basin of northern/western South America: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela, all resident/non-migratory populations (its scientific name notwithstanding, it does not occur in Chile)
Diet: Primarily fruit and nectar, gleaned while foraging in the forest canopy, typically in mixed-species tanager flocks; also takes some insects
Size: 0.14 m
Lifespan: 8.8 years

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