The Story
This Crimson-backed Tanager (Ramphocelus dimidiatus) was at Hacienda Guadalajara in Palmira, Valle del Cauca, Colombia when I photographed it. 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. 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. 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 1/800 sec, f/5.6, ISO 1600. IUCN lists the Crimson-backed Tanager as Least Concern, with a stable population.
©2020 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