Crimson-backed Tanager

The Story

This Crimson-backed Tanager (Ramphocelus dimidiatus) was at Hacienda Guadalajara in Palmira, Valle del Cauca, Colombia when I photographed it. In the breeding season it forages in pairs or family groups, and in flocks at other times. 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. Palmira lies on the east bank of the Cauca River and is a center of the valley’s large sugar mills.

I made this frame with a Pentax K-1 and the HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6, at 1/125 sec, f/5.6, ISO 3200. IUCN lists the Crimson-backed Tanager as Least Concern, with a stable population.

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