Swallow Tanager - BirdForum Opus

Tersina viridis

Photo by Rogerio Araújo Dias
Photo taken: Brasilia, Brazil.

Photo of female by Jamfaraco
Photo taken: Morrinhos, Coxilha Rica, Lages-SC/Brasil

Identification

15cm. Female is a yellow-green, with horizontal green stripes on sides of breast. Male a brighter turquoise-green, with a small deep black face and upper throat patch.

Distribution

Northern South America.

Taxonomy

Three subspecies are recognized¹: viridis, occidentalis, and grisescens.

Behaviour

Swallow-like flight from high exposed branches. The diet includes insects caught on the wing, and large fruits. They nest in sandbanks, tree holes and wall crevices. Up to 100 non-breeding birds can be found in large foraging flocks.

References

1. Clements, James F. 2007. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. ISBN 9780801445019

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