The Story
This Crimson-backed Tanager (Ramphocelus dimidiatus) was at Entreaguas Reserva Natural in Ibagué, Tolima, Colombia when I photographed it. It takes most food while hopping through foliage and also visits feeders for fruit. It often roosts in flocks that can number more than 50 birds. It feeds mostly in the undergrowth and up to middle levels at the forest edge. In the breeding season it forages in pairs or family groups, and in flocks at other times. The reserve lies in the Coello-Cocora area west of Ibagué, on the way toward Cajamarca, and its trails pass a series of waterfalls.
I made this frame with a Pentax K-1 and the HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6, at 1/250 sec, f/5.6, ISO 3200. IUCN lists the Crimson-backed Tanager as Least Concern, with a stable population.
©2019 Adam Rainoff Photographer
The bird
The Crimson-backed Tanager (Ramphocelus dimidiatus) belongs to the family Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies) in the eBird/Clements taxonomy.
Source: eBird.org (opens in a new tab)
Conservation
Least Concern on the IUCN Red List (assessment published 2021), with the population trend listed as stable. Source: IUCN Red List