The tanagers (singular /ˈtænədʒər/) comprise the bird family Thraupidae, in the order Passeriformes. The family has a Neotropical distribution and is the second-largest family of birds. It represents about 4% of all avian species and 12% of the Neotropical birds.

Traditionally, the family contained around 240 species of mostly brightly colored fruit-eating birds. As more of these birds were studied using modern molecular techniques, it became apparent that the traditional families were not monophyletic. Euphonia and Chlorophonia, which were once considered part of the tanager family, are now treated as members of the Fringillidae, in their own subfamily (Euphoniinae). Likewise, the genera Piranga (which includes the scarlet tanager, summer tanager, and western tanager), Chlorothraupis, and Habia appear to be members of the family Cardinalidae, and have been reassigned to that family by the American Ornithological Society.

Description

Tanagers are small to medium-sized birds. The shortest-bodied species, the white-eared conebill, is 9cm (4in) long and weighs 6g (0.2oz), barely smaller than the short-billed honeycreeper. The longest, the magpie tanager is 28cm (11in) and weighs 76g (2.7oz). The heaviest is the white-capped tanager, which weighs 114g (4.02oz) and measures about 24cm (9.4in). Both sexes are usually the same size and weight.

Tanagers are often brightly colored, but some species are black and white. Males are typically more brightly colored than females and juveniles. Most tanagers have short, rounded wings. The shape of the bill seems to be linked to the species' foraging habits.

Distribution

Tanagers are restricted to the Western Hemisphere and mainly to the tropics. About 60% of tanagers live in South America, and 30% of these species live in the Andes. Most species are endemic to a relatively small area.

Behavior

Most tanagers live in pairs or in small groups of three to five individuals. These groups may consist simply of parents and their offspring. These birds may also be seen in single-species or mixed flocks. Many tanagers are thought to have dull songs, though some are elaborate.[citation needed]

Diet

Tanagers are omnivorous, and their diets vary by genus. They have been seen eating fruits, seeds, nectar, flower parts, and insects. Many pick insects off branches or from holes in the wood. Other species look for insects on the undersides of leaves. Yet others wait on branches until they see a flying insect and catch it in the air. Many of these particular species inhabit the same areas, but these specializations alleviate competition.

Breeding

The breeding season is March through June in temperate areas and in September through October in South America. Some species are territorial, while others build their nests closer together. Little information is available on tanager breeding behavior. Males show off their brightest feathers to potential mates and rival males. Some species' courtship rituals involve bowing and tail lifting.

Most tanagers build cup nests on branches in trees. Some nests are almost globular. Entrances are usually built on the side of the nest. The nests can be shallow or deep. The species of the tree in which they choose to build their nests and the nests' positions vary among genera. Most species nest in an area hidden by very dense vegetation. No information is yet known regarding the nests of some species.

The clutch size is three to five eggs. The female incubates the eggs and builds the nest, but the male may feed the female while she incubates. Both sexes feed the young. Five species have helpers assist in feeding the young. These helpers are thought to be the previous year's nestlings.

Taxonomy

The family Thraupidae was introduced (as the subfamily Thraupinae) in 1847 by German ornithologist Jean Cabanis. The type genus is Thraupis.

The family Thraupidae is a member of an assemblage of over 800 birds known as the New World, nine-primaried oscines. The traditional pre-molecular classification was largely based on the different feeding specializations. Nectar-feeders were placed in Coerebidae (honeycreepers), large-billed seed-eaters in Cardinalidae (cardinals and grosbeaks), smaller-billed seed-eaters in Emberizidae (New World finches and sparrows), ground-foraging insect-eaters in Icteridae (blackbirds) and fruit-eaters in Thraupidae. This classification was known to be problematic as analyses using other morphological characteristics often produced conflicting phylogenies. Beginning in the last decade of the 20th century, a series of molecular phylogenetic studies led to a complete reorganization of the traditional families. Thraupidae now includes large-billed seed eaters, thin-billed nectar feeders, and foliage gleaners as well as fruit-eaters.

One consequence of redefining the family boundaries is that for many species their common names are no longer congruent with the families in which they are placed. As of July 2020 there are 39 species with "tanager" in the common name that are not placed in Thraupidae. These include the widely distributed scarlet tanager and western tanager, which are both now placed in Cardinalidae. There are also 106 species within Thraupidae that have "finch" in their common name.

A molecular phylogenetic study published in 2014 revealed that many of the traditional genera were not monophyletic. In the resulting reorganization six new genera were introduced, eleven genera were resurrected, and seven genera were abandoned.

As of March 2025 the family contains 393 species which are divided into 15 subfamilies and 105 genera. For a complete list, see the article List of tanager species.

List of genera

Catamblyrhynchinae

The plushcap has no close relatives and is now placed in its own subfamily. It was previously placed either in the subfamily Catamblyrhynchinae within the Emberizidae or in its own family Catamblyrhynchidae.

ImageGenusSpecies
Catamblyrhynchus Lafresnaye, 1842PlushcapCatamblyrhynchus diadema

Charitospizinae

The coal-crested finch is endemic to the grasslands of Brazil and has no close relatives. It is unusual in that both sexes have a crest. It was formerly placed in Emberizidae.

ImageGenusSpecies
Charitospiza Oberholser, 1905Coal-crested finchCharitospiza eucosma

Orchesticinae

Two species with large thick bills. Parkerthraustes was formerly placed in Cardinalidae.

ImageGenusSpecies
Orchesticus Cabanis, 1851Brown tanagerOrchesticus abeillei
Parkerthraustes Remsen, 1997Yellow-shouldered grosbeak, Parkerthraustes humeralis

Nemosiinae

Brightly colored, sexually dichromatic birds. Most form single-species flocks.

ImageGenusSpecies
Nemosia Vieillot, 1816Hooded tanager, Nemosia pileata Cherry-throated tanager, Nemosia rourei
Cyanicterus Bonaparte, 1850Blue-backed tanagerCyanicterus cyanicterus
Sericossypha Lesson, 1844White-capped tanagerSericossypha albocristata
Compsothraupis Richmond, 1915Scarlet-throated tanagerCompsothraupis loricata

Emberizoidinae

Grassland dwelling birds that were formerly placed in Emberizidae.

ImageGenusSpecies
Coryphaspiza G.R. Gray, 1840Black-masked finchCoryphaspiza melanotis
Embernagra Lesson, 1831Serra finchEmbernagra longicauda Pampa finchEmbernagra platensis
Emberizoides Temminck, 1822Wedge-tailed grass finchEmberizoides herbicola Duida grass finchEmberizoides duidae Lesser grass finchEmberizoides ypiranganus

Porphyrospizinae

Yellow billed birds. The blue finch (Rhopospina caerulescens) was formerly placed in Cardinalidae; the other species were formerly placed in Emberizidae.

ImageGenusSpecies
Incaspiza Ridgway, 1898Great Inca finchIncaspiza pulchra Rufous-backed Inca finchIncaspiza personata Grey-winged Inca finchIncaspiza ortizi Buff-bridled Inca finchIncaspiza laeta Little Inca finchIncaspiza watkinsi
Rhopospina Cabanis, 1851Mourning sierra finchRhopospina fruticeti Blue finchRhopospina caerulescens Band-tailed sierra finchRhopospina alaudina Carbonated sierra finchRhopospina carbonaria

Hemithraupinae

These species are sexually dichromatic and many have yellow and black plumage. Except for Heterospingus, they have slender bills.

ImageGenusSpecies
Chlorophanes Reichenbach, 1853Green honeycreeperChlorophanes spiza
Iridophanes Ridgway, 1901Golden-collared honeycreeperIridophanes pulcherrimus
Chrysothlypis Berlepsch, 1912Black-and-yellow tanagerChrysothlypis chrysomelas Scarlet-and-white tanagerChrysothlypis salmoni
Heterospingus Ridgway, 1898Sulphur-rumped tanagerHeterospingus rubrifrons Scarlet-browed tanagerHeterospingus xanthopygius
Hemithraupis Cabanis, 1850Guira tanagerHemithraupis guira Rufous-headed tanagerHemithraupis ruficapilla Yellow-backed tanagerHemithraupis flavicollis

Dacninae

Sexually dichromatic species—males have blue plumage and females are green.

ImageGenusSpecies
Tersina Vieillot, 1819Swallow tanagerTersina viridis
Cyanerpes Oberholser, 1899Short-billed honeycreeperCyanerpes nitidus Shining honeycreeperCyanerpes lucidus Purple honeycreeperCyanerpes caeruleus Red-legged honeycreeperCyanerpes cyaneus
Dacnis Cuvier, 1816Scarlet-breasted dacnisDacnis berlepschi Scarlet-thighed dacnisDacnis venusta Blue dacnisDacnis cayana Yellow-bellied dacnisDacnis flaviventer Turquoise dacnisDacnis hartlaubi Black-faced dacnisDacnis lineata Yellow-tufted dacnisDacnis egregia Viridian dacnisDacnis viguieri Black-legged dacnisDacnis nigripes White-bellied dacnisDacnis albiventris

Saltatorinae

Mainly arboreal with long tails and thick bills. Formerly placed in Cardinalidae.

ImageGenusSpecies
Saltatricula Burmeister, 1861Many-colored Chaco finchSaltatricula multicolor Black-throated saltatorSaltatricula atricollis
Saltator Vieillot, 1816Orinoco saltatorSaltator orenocensis Green-winged saltatorSaltator similis Bluish-grey saltator or Amazonian grey saltator – Saltator coerulescens Cinnamon-bellied saltator or northern grey saltator – Saltator grandis Olive-grey saltator or Caribbean grey saltator – Saltator olivascens Streaked saltatorSaltator striatipectus Lesser Antillean saltatorSaltator albicollis Buff-throated saltatorSaltator maximus Black-winged saltatorSaltator atripennis Black-headed saltatorSaltator atriceps Black-cowled saltatorSaltator nigriceps Black-throated grosbeakSaltator fuliginosus Slate-coloured grosbeakSaltator grossus Masked saltatorSaltator cinctus Thick-billed saltatorSaltator maxillosus Golden-billed saltatorSaltator aurantiirostris

Coerebinae

Diversity of Darwin's finches

This subfamily includes Darwin's finches, of which all but the Cocos finch are endemic to the Galápagos Islands. Most Coerebinae species were formerly placed in Emberizidae; the exceptions are the bananaquit that was placed in Parulidae and the orangequit that was placed in Thraupidae. These species build domed or covered nests with side entrances. They have evolved a variety of foraging techniques, including nectar-feeding (Coereba, Euneornis), seed-eating (Geospiza, Loxigilla, Tiaris), and insect gleaning (Certhidea).

ImageGenusSpecies
Coereba Vieillot, 1809BananaquitCoereba flaveola
Tiaris Swainson, 1827Yellow-faced grassquitTiaris olivaceus
Euneornis Fitzinger, 1856OrangequitEuneornis campestris
Melopyrrha Bonaparte, 1853Puerto Rican bullfinchMelopyrrha portoricensis (formerly placed in Loxigilla) †St. Kitts bullfinchMelopyrrha grandis Greater Antillean bullfinchMelopyrrha violacea (formerly placed in Loxigilla) Cuban bullfinchMelopyrrha nigra Grand Cayman bullfinchMelopyrrha taylori
Loxipasser Bryant, 1866Yellow-shouldered grassquitLoxipasser anoxanthus
Phonipara Bonaparte, 1850Cuban grassquitPhonipara canora
Loxigilla Lesson, 1831Lesser Antillean bullfinchLoxigilla noctis Barbados bullfinchLoxigilla barbadensis
Melanospiza Ridgway, 1897Saint Lucia black finchMelanospiza richardsoni Black-faced grassquitMelanospiza bicolor
Asemospiza Burns, Unitt, & Mason, 2016Sooty grassquitAsemospiza fuliginosa Dull-coloured grassquitAsemospiza obscura
Darwin's finches:
Certhidea Gould, 1837Green warbler-finchCerthidea olivacea Grey warbler-finchCerthidea fusca
Platyspiza Ridgway, 1897Vegetarian finchPlatyspiza crassirostris
Pinaroloxias Sharpe, 1885Cocos finchPinaroloxias inornata
Camarhynchus Gould, 1837Small tree finchCamarhynchus parvulus Medium tree finchCamarhynchus pauper Large tree finchCamarhynchus psittacula Woodpecker finchCamarhynchus pallidus Mangrove finchCamarhynchus heliobates
Geospiza Gould, 1837Española cactus finchGeospiza conirostris Sharp-beaked ground finchGeospiza difficilis Vampire ground finchGeospiza septentrionalis Genovesa ground finchGeospiza acutirostris Medium ground finchGeospiza fortis Small ground finchGeospiza fuliginosa Large ground finchGeospiza magnirostris Common cactus finchGeospiza scandens Genovesa cactus finchGeospiza propinqua

Tachyphoninae

Most of these are lowland species. Many have ornamental features such as crests, and many have sexually dichromatic plumage.

ImageGenusSpecies
Volatinia Reichenbach, 1850Blue-black grassquitVolatinia jacarina
Conothraupis Sclater, PL, 1880Black-and-white tanagerConothraupis speculigera Cone-billed tanagerConothraupis mesoleuca
Creurgops Sclater, PL, 1858Rufous-crested tanagerCreurgops verticalis Slaty tanagerCreurgops dentatus
Eucometis Sclater, PL, 1856Grey-headed tanagerEucometis penicillata
Trichothraupis Cabanis, 1851Black-goggled tanagerTrichothraupis melanops
Heliothraupis Lane et al., 2021Inti tanagerHeliothraupis oneilli
Loriotus Jarocki, 1821Flame-crested tanagerLoriotus cristatus Yellow-crested tanagerLoriotus rufiventer White-shouldered tanagerLoriotus luctuosus
Coryphospingus Cabanis, 1851Grey pileated finchCoryphospingus pileatus Red pileated finchCoryphospingus cucullatus
Tachyphonus Vieillot, 1816Fulvous-crested tanagerTachyphonus surinamus Tawny-crested tanagerTachyphonus delatrii Ruby-crowned tanagerTachyphonus coronatus White-lined tanagerTachyphonus rufus Red-shouldered tanagerTachyphonus phoenicius
Rhodospingus Sharpe, 1888Crimson-breasted finchRhodospingus cruentus
Lanio Vieillot, 1816Fulvous shrike-tanagerLanio fulvus White-winged shrike-tanagerLanio versicolor Black-throated shrike-tanagerLanio aurantius White-throated shrike-tanagerLanio leucothorax
Ramphocelus Desmarest, 1805Crimson-collared tanagerRamphocelus sanguinolentus Masked crimson tanagerRamphocelus nigrogularis Crimson-backed tanagerRamphocelus dimidiatus Huallaga tanagerRamphocelus melanogaster Silver-beaked tanagerRamphocelus carbo Brazilian tanagerRamphocelus bresilius Passerini's tanagerRamphocelus passerinii Cherrie's tanagerRamphocelus costaricensis Flame-rumped tanagerRamphocelus flammigerus Lemon-rumped tanager – R. f. icteronotus

Sporophilinae

These species were formerly placed in Emberizidae.

ImageGenusSpecies
Sporophila Cabanis, 1844Seedeaters and seed finches (includes species previously assigned to Dolospingus and Oryzoborus) 41 species: Lesson's seedeaterSporophila bouvronidesLined seedeaterSporophila lineolaCinnamon-rumped seedeaterSporophila torqueolaMorelet's seedeaterSporophila morelletiVariable seedeaterSporophila corvinaGrey seedeaterSporophila intermediaWing-barred seedeaterSporophila americanaWhite-naped seedeaterSporophila fringilloidesBlack-and-white seedeaterSporophila luctuosaDouble-collared seedeaterSporophila caerulescensYellow-bellied seedeaterSporophila nigricollisDubois's seedeaterSporophila ardesiacaThick-billed seed finchSporophila funereaChestnut-bellied seed finchSporophila angolensisNicaraguan seed finchSporophila nuttingiGreat-billed seed finchSporophila maximilianiLarge-billed seed finchSporophila crassirostrisBlack-billed seed finchSporophila atrirostrisSlate-coloured seedeaterSporophila schistaceaTemminck's seedeaterSporophila falcirostrisBuffy-fronted seedeaterSporophila frontalisPlumbeous seedeaterSporophila plumbeaTropeiro seedeaterSporophila beltoniRusty-collared seedeaterSporophila collarisWhite-throated seedeaterSporophila albogularisWhite-bellied seedeaterSporophila leucopteraParrot-billed seedeaterSporophila peruvianaChestnut-throated seedeater, Sporophila telascoDrab seedeaterSporophila simplexChestnut-bellied seedeaterSporophila castaneiventrisRuddy-breasted seedeaterSporophila minutaCopper seedeaterSporophila bouvreuilBlack-and-tawny seedeaterSporophila nigrorufaTawny-bellied seedeaterSporophila hypoxanthaDark-throated seedeaterSporophila ruficollisPearly-bellied seedeaterSporophila pileataRufous-rumped seedeaterSporophila hypochromaChestnut seedeaterSporophila cinnamomeaMarsh seedeaterSporophila palustrisBlack-bellied seedeaterSporophila melanogasterIbera seedeaterSporophila iberaensis

Poospizinae

Some of these species were formerly placed in Emberizidae.

ImageGenusSpecies
Piezorina Lafresnaye, 1843Cinereous finchPiezorina cinerea
Xenospingus Cabanis, 1867Slender-billed finchXenospingus concolor
Cnemoscopus Bangs & Penard, 1919Grey-hooded bush tanagerCnemoscopus rubrirostris
Pseudospingus Berlepsch & Stolzmann, 1896Drab hemispingusPseudospingus xanthophthalmus Black-headed hemispingusPseudospingus verticalis
Poospiza Cabanis, 1847Bolivian warbling finchPoospiza boliviana Cinnamon warbling finchPoospiza ornata Black-and-rufous warbling finchPoospiza nigrorufa Black-and-chestnut warbling finchPoospiza whitii Collared warbling finchPoospiza hispaniolensis Rufous-breasted warbling finchPoospiza rubecula Tucumán mountain finchPoospiza baeri Cochabamba mountain finchPoospiza garleppi Slaty-backed hemispingusPoospiza goeringi Rufous-browed hemispingusPoospiza rufosuperciliaris
Kleinothraupis Burns, Unitt, & Mason, 2016Grey-capped hemispingusKleinothraupis reyi Black-capped hemispingusKleinothraupis atropileus White-browed hemispingusKleinothraupis auricularis Orange-browed hemispingusKleinothraupis calophrys Parodi's hemispingusKleinothraupis parodii
Sphenopsis Sclater, 1862Oleaginous hemispingusSphenopsis frontalis Black-eared hemispingusSphenopsis melanotis Piura hemispingusSphenopsis piurae Western hemispingusSphenopsis ochracea
Thlypopsis Cabanis, 1851Fulvous-headed tanagerThlypopsis fulviceps Rufous-chested tanagerThlypopsis ornata Brown-flanked tanagerThlypopsis pectoralis Orange-headed tanagerThlypopsis sordida Buff-bellied tanagerThlypopsis inornata Rust-and-yellow tanagerThlypopsis ruficeps
Castanozoster Burns, Unitt, & Mason, 2016Bay-chested warbling finchCastanozoster thoracicus
Donacospiza Cabanis, 1851Long-tailed reed finchDonacospiza albifrons
Cypsnagra Lesson, R, 1831White-rumped tanagerCypsnagra hirundinacea
Poospizopsis Berlepsch, 1893Rufous-sided warbling finchPoospizopsis hypocondria Chestnut-breasted mountain finchPoospizopsis caesar
Urothraupis Taczanowski & Berlepsch, 1885Black-backed bush tanagerUrothraupis stolzmanni
Nephelornis Lowery & Tallman, 1976ParduscoNephelornis oneilli
Microspingus Taczanowski, 1874Buff-throated warbling finchMicrospingus lateralis Grey-throated warbling finchMicrospingus cabanisi Rusty-browed warbling finchMicrospingus erythrophrys Plain-tailed warbling finchMicrospingus alticola Ringed warbling finchMicrospingus torquatus Three-striped hemispingusMicrospingus trifasciatus Black-capped warbling finchMicrospingus melanoleucus Cinereous warbling finchMicrospingus cinereus

Diglossinae

This is a morphologically diverse group that includes seed-eaters (Nesospiza, Sicalis, Catamenia, Haplospiza), arthropod feeders (Conirostrum), a bamboo specialist (Acanthidops), an aphid feeder (Xenodacnis), and boulder field specialists (Idiopsar). Many species live at high altitudes. Conirostrum was previously placed in Parulidae, Diglossa was placed in Thraupidae, and the remaining genera were placed in Emberizidae.

ImageGenusSpecies
Conirostrum d'Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1838Chestnut-vented conebillConirostrum speciosum White-eared conebillConirostrum leucogenys Bicolored conebillConirostrum bicolor Pearly-breasted conebillConirostrum margaritae Cinereous conebillConirostrum cinereum Tamarugo conebillConirostrum tamarugense White-browed conebillConirostrum ferrugineiventre Rufous-browed conebillConirostrum rufum Blue-backed conebillConirostrum sitticolor Capped conebillConirostrum albifrons Giant conebillConirostrum binghami (formerly Oreomanes fraseri)
Sicalis F. Boie, 182813 species Stripe-tailed yellow finchSicalis citrinaSulphur-throated finchSicalis taczanowskiiBright-rumped yellow finchSicalis uropygialisSaffron finchSicalis flaveolaOrange-fronted yellow finchSicalis columbianaGrassland yellow finchSicalis luteolaCitron-headed yellow finchSicalis luteocephalaPatagonian yellow finchSicalis lebruniGreenish yellow finchSicalis olivascensMonte yellow finchSicalis mendozaeGreater yellow finchSicalis auriventrisRaimondi's yellow finchSicalis raimondiiPuna yellow finchSicalis lutea
Phrygilus Cabanis, 1844Black-hooded sierra finchPhrygilus atriceps Peruvian sierra finchPhrygilus punensis Grey-hooded sierra finchPhrygilus gayi Patagonian sierra finchPhrygilus patagonicus
Nesospiza Cabanis, 1873Inaccessible Island finchNesospiza acunhae Nightingale Island finchNesospiza questi Wilkins's finchNesospiza wilkinsi
Rowettia Lowe, 1923Gough finchRowettia goughensis
Melanodera Bonaparte, 1850White-bridled finchMelanodera melanodera Yellow-bridled finchMelanodera xanthogramma
Geospizopsis Bonaparte, 1856Plumbeous sierra finchGeospizopsis unicolor Ash-breasted sierra finchGeospizopsis plebejus
Haplospiza Cabanis, 1851Slaty finchHaplospiza rustica Uniform finchHaplospiza unicolor
Acanthidops Ridgway, 1882Peg-billed finchAcanthidops bairdi
Xenodacnis Cabanis, 1873Tit-like dacnisXenodacnis parina Streaked dacnisXenodacnis petersi
Idiopsar Cassin, 1867Red-backed sierra finchIdiopsar dorsalis White-throated sierra finchIdiopsar erythronotus Glacier finchIdiopsar speculifer Boulder finchIdiopsar brachyurus
Catamenia Bonaparte, 1850Band-tailed seedeaterCatamenia analis Plain-colored seedeaterCatamenia inornata Paramo seedeaterCatamenia homochroa
Diglossa Wagler, 183218 species Golden-eyed flowerpiercerDiglossa glaucaBluish flowerpiercerDiglossa caerulescensMasked flowerpiercerDiglossa cyaneaIndigo flowerpiercerDiglossa indigoticaRusty flowerpiercerDiglossa sittoidesSlaty flowerpiercerDiglossa plumbeaCinnamon-bellied flowerpiercerDiglossa baritulaMoustached flowerpiercerDiglossa mystacalisGlossy flowerpiercerDiglossa lafresnayiiChestnut-bellied flowerpiercerDiglossa gloriosissimaScaled flowerpiercerDiglossa duidaeGreater flowerpiercerDiglossa majorVenezuelan flowerpiercerDiglossa venezuelensisWhite-sided flowerpiercerDiglossa albilateraGrey-bellied flowerpiercerDiglossa carbonariaBlack-throated flowerpiercer, Diglossa brunneiventrisMérida flowerpiercerDiglossa gloriosaBlack flowerpiercerDiglossa humeralis

Thraupinae

Typical tanagers.

ImageGenusSpecies
Calochaetes Sclater, PL, 1879Vermilion tanagerCalochaetes coccineus
Iridosornis Lesson, 1844Purplish-mantled tanagerIridosornis porphyrocephalus Yellow-throated tanagerIridosornis analis Golden-collared tanagerIridosornis jelskii Golden-crowned tanagerIridosornis rufivertex Yellow-scarfed tanagerIridosornis reinhardti
Rauenia Wolters, 1980Blue-and-yellow tanagerRauenia bonariensis
Pipraeidea Swainson, 1827Fawn-breasted tanagerPipraeidea melanonota
Pseudosaltator K.J. Burns, Unitt & N.A. Mason, 2016Rufous-bellied mountain tanagerPseudosaltator rufiventris
Dubusia Bonaparte, 1850Buff-breasted mountain tanagerDubusia taeniata Carriker's mountain tanagerDubusia carrikeri Streak-crowned mountain tanagerDubusia stictocephala Chestnut-bellied mountain tanagerDubusia castaneoventris
Buthraupis Cabanis, 1851Hooded mountain tanagerButhraupis montana
Sporathraupis Ridgway, 1898Blue-capped tanagerSporathraupis cyanocephala
Tephrophilus R. T. Moore, 1934Masked mountain tanagerTephrophilus wetmorei
Chlorornis Reichenbach, 1850Grass-green tanagerChlorornis riefferii
Cnemathraupis Penard, 1919Black-chested mountain tanagerCnemathraupis eximia Golden-backed mountain tanagerCnemathraupis aureodorsalis
Anisognathus Reichenbach, 1850Santa Marta mountain tanagerAnisognathus melanogenys Lacrimose mountain tanagerAnisognathus lacrymosus Scarlet-bellied mountain tanagerAnisognathus igniventris Blue-winged mountain tanagerAnisognathus somptuosus Black-chinned mountain tanagerAnisognathus notabilis
Chlorochrysa Bonaparte, 1851Glistening-green tanagerChlorochrysa phoenicotis Orange-eared tanagerChlorochrysa calliparaea Multicoloured tanagerChlorochrysa nitidissima
Wetmorethraupis Lowery & O'Neill, 1964Orange-throated tanagerWetmorethraupis sterrhopteron
Bangsia Penard, 1919Blue-and-gold tanagerBangsia arcaei Black-and-gold tanagerBangsia melanochlamys Golden-chested tanagerBangsia rothschildi Moss-backed tanagerBangsia edwardsi Gold-ringed tanagerBangsia aureocincta Yellow-green tanagerBangsia flavovirens
Lophospingus Cabanis, 1878Grey-crested finchLophospingus griseocristatus Black-crested finchLophospingus pusillus
Neothraupis Hellmayr, 1936Shrike-like tanagerNeothraupis fasciata
Diuca Reichenbach, 1850Diuca finchDiuca diuca
Gubernatrix Lesson, 1837Yellow cardinalGubernatrix cristata
Stephanophorus Strickland, 1841Diademed tanagerStephanophorus diadematus
Cissopis Vieillot, 1816Magpie tanagerCissopis leverianus
Schistochlamys Reichenbach, 1850Cinnamon tanagerSchistochlamys ruficapillus Black-faced tanagerSchistochlamys melanopis
Paroaria Bonaparte, 1832Red-crested cardinalParoaria coronata Red-cowled cardinalParoaria dominicana Red-capped cardinalParoaria gularis Masked cardinalParoaria nigrogenis Crimson-fronted cardinalParoaria baeri Yellow-billed cardinalParoaria capitata
Ixothraupis Bonaparte, 1851Dotted tanagerIxothraupis varia Rufous-throated tanagerIxothraupis rufigula Spotted tanagerIxothraupis punctata Speckled tanagerIxothraupis guttata Yellow-bellied tanagerIxothraupis xanthogastra
Chalcothraupis Bonaparte, 1851Golden-naped tanagerChalcothraupis ruficervix
Poecilostreptus Burns, KJ, Unitt, & Mason, NA, 2016Azure-rumped tanagerPoecilostreptus cabanisi Grey-and-gold tanagerPoecilostreptus palmeri
Thraupis F. Boie, 1826Blue-grey tanagerThraupis episcopus Glaucous tanagerThraupis glaucocolpa Sayaca tanagerThraupis sayaca Azure-shouldered tanagerThraupis cyanoptera Golden-chevroned tanagerThraupis ornata Blue-capped tanagerThraupis cyanocephala Blue-and-yellow tanagerThraupis bonariensis Darwin's tanager – T. b. darwinii Yellow-winged tanagerThraupis abbas Palm tanagerThraupis palmarum
Stilpnia Burns, KJ, Unitt, & Mason, NA, 201615 species Black-headed tanagerStilpnia cyanopteraBlack-hooded tanagerStilpnia whitelyiSilver-backed tanagerStilpnia viridicollisSira tanagerStilpnia phillipsiStraw-backed tanagerStilpnia argyrofengesBlack-capped tanagerStilpnia heineiGolden-hooded tanagerStilpnia larvataBlue-necked tanagerStilpnia cyanicollisMasked tanagerStilpnia nigrocinctaBlack-backed tanagerStilpnia peruvianaChestnut-backed tanagerStilpnia preciosaGreen-capped tanagerStilpnia meyerdeschauenseeiScrub tanagerStilpnia vitriolinaBurnished-buff tanagerStilpnia cayanaLesser Antillean tanagerStilpnia cucullata
Tangara Brisson, 176028 species Blue-and-black tanagerTangara vassoriiBeryl-spangled tanagerTangara nigroviridisSpangle-cheeked tanagerTangara dowiiGreen-naped tanagerTangara fucosaBlue-browed tanagerTangara cyanotisRufous-cheeked tanagerTangara rufigenisMetallic-green tanagerTangara labradoridesBay-headed tanagerTangara gyrolaRufous-throated tanagerTangara rufigulaGolden-eared tanagerTangara chrysotisSaffron-crowned tanagerTangara xanthocephalaFlame-faced tanagerTangara parzudakiiBlue-whiskered tanagerTangara johannaeGreen-and-gold tanagerTangara schrankiiGolden tanagerTangara arthusEmerald tanagerTangara floridaSilver-throated tanagerTangara icterocephalaSeven-coloured tanagerTangara fastuosaGreen-headed tanagerTangara seledonRed-necked tanagerTangara cyanocephalaBrassy-breasted tanagerTangara desmarestiGilt-edged tanagerTangara cyanoventrisPlain-coloured tanagerTangara inornataTurquoise tanagerTangara mexicanaWhite-bellied tanagerTangara brasiliensisParadise tanagerTangara chilensisOpal-crowned tanagerTangara callophrysOpal-rumped tanagerTangara velia

Genera formerly placed in Thraupidae

Passerellidae – New World sparrows

Cardinalidae – cardinals

Fringillidae – subfamily Euphoniinae

Phaenicophilidae – Hispaniolan tanagers

Mitrospingidae – Mitrospingid tanagers

Nesospingidae

Spindalidae

Calyptophilidae

Rhodinocichlidae

Further reading

  • Remsen, J. V. Jr. (2016). . South American Classification Committee, American Ornithologists' Union.

External links

  • on the Internet Bird Collection
  • "Tanager". The New Student's Reference Work. 1914.