Image via Macaulay Library
Saffron-crowned Tanager
- Scientific name
- Tangara xanthocephala
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Conservation status
- Least concern
- Habitat
- Forest mixed
- Wing shape
- Rounded
- Tail shape
- Rounded
Where it came from
The Saffron-crowned Tanager, or Tangara xanthocephala, is a vibrant member of the tanager family native to the humid montane forests of the Andes. First described by Swiss naturalist Johann Jakob von Tschudi in 1844, this species emerged from the surge of nineteenth-century biological exploration in South America. Its distinct, rounded wing and tail shapes reflect its evolutionary adaptation to life within the dense, mid-elevation canopy, where maneuverability among branches is essential for foraging.
The species is characterized by a striking combination of a golden-yellow head, a black mask, and a body marked by deep blues and greens. Ornithologists and illustrators often highlight its aesthetic appeal, noting that the bird’s plumage patterns serve as a prime example of the intense coloration found in Neotropical tanagers. While it is not a subject of human design, its taxonomic identification and subsequent representation in ornithological plates have made it a classic study of biodiversity within the Andes mountain range.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
Real birds collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Saffron-crowned Tanager
Saffron-crowned Tanager is a bird in the Birdwatching catalog on collecto.rs. Catalog data is sourced from eBird. No public birds collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How many collectors track Saffron-crowned Tanager on collecto.rs?
Saffron-crowned Tanager doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of Saffron-crowned Tanager?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your bird, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other birdwatching collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the Saffron-crowned Tanager catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Saffron-crowned Tanager is sourced from eBird. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs birds tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your birds is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every bird you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
