Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #65

By Jim Gain

8/18/2023

• Scientific Name: Eucometis penicillata
• Name in Spanish (Mexico): Tangara Cabeza Gris
• ABA 4-Letter Bird Code: GHET
• Family: Thraupidae – Tanagers and Allies
• Order: Passeriformes – Perching Birds

About this Species

The Gray-headed Tanager (Eucometis penicillata) is a small, colorful bird found in Belize and throughout much of Central and South America. It has olive to yellow upperparts, bright yellow underparts, and a conspicuous gray head and crest making it a striking sight in the dense forest canopy where it typically resides.

In Belize, the Gray-headed Tanager is widely distributed across the country, from the lowland rainforests to the mountainous areas in the west. It can be found in a variety of forest types, including both primary and secondary forests, as well as forest edges and clearings. It is also known to frequent fruiting trees, where it feeds on a variety of fruits and insects.

The natural history of the Gray-headed Tanager is still being studied, but it is known to be a social bird that often forms mixed-species flocks with other small bird species. It is a resident species in Belize, meaning it does not migrate, and breeding occurs throughout the year, with nests typically being constructed in the canopy of trees. Overall, the Gray-headed Tanager is a fascinating and beautiful bird species that is a joy to observe in the wild.

>> Next Post on Sunday, 8/20/2023 – Snail Kite

Previous posts from Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog

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