Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #32

By Jim Gain

6/2/2023

• Scientific Name: Piranga roseogularis
• Name in Spanish (Mexico): Piranga Yucateca
• Name in Mayan: X jeret
• ABA 4-Letter Bird Code: RTTA
• Family: Cardinalidae – Cardinals and Allies
• Order: Passeriformes – Perching Birds

About this Species

The Rose-throated Tanager (Piranga roseogularis) is a small, brightly colored bird endemic to the Yucatan Peninsula, including Northern Guatemala and Belize. The male’s rose-red throat and breast, combined with its yellow-green feathers, make it a striking sight in the forest canopy. Males have gray upperparts and paler gray underparts, accented by a deep, rusty red crown and flight feathers. They also sport a rosy pink throat and similarly tinted undertail coverts.

The female’s plumage is more subdued, but still displays similar colors to the male.

These tanagers are primarily insectivorous, but also feed on fruit, often foraging alone or in pairs. They are known to be quite vocal, with a variety of songs and calls, especially during breeding season which typically occurs from March to June. Females will lay 2-3 eggs in a cup-shaped nest made of twigs and other plant materials.

The Rose-throated Tanager is an important indicator species of healthy forest habitats in the Yucatan, and is considered endangered due to habitat loss and fragmentation caused by deforestation and human activities.

Conservation efforts, such as reforestation and protected areas, are crucial for their survival. The species is also vulnerable to predation by snakes, birds of prey, and other mammals. Despite these challenges, efforts to conserve the species are underway, and it is hoped that their populations will continue to thrive in the future.

>> Next Post on Sunday, 6/4/2023 – Groove-billed Ani

Previous posts from Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog

• White Ibis
• Limpkin
• Anhinga
• Scaly-breasted Hummingbird
• Gray-breasted Martin