Bird Watch: Crimson Backed Tanager

red_tangier_smCrimson Backed Tanager

Tanagers abound in Panama, in a multitude of colours and at least a dozen of these have red as one of their colours. The crimson backed tanager has black wings and tail feathers. The breast and back are a deep crimson which extends to the head of the male whereas the female has a black head. Both have a highly visible ivory beak. They are frequently seen in pairs and tend to visit a location for a few days and then leave for  several days before returning again. Their diet is seeds and small invertebrates. They are typical in size for a tanager, about 16 cm (6 in) at maturity.