The Brazilian Tanager (Ramphocelus bresilius) is a medium-sized bird in the Thraupidae family.
The Brazilian Tanager male is crimson-red with black wings and a black tail. The female is olive on her upperparts and yellowish on her underparts with yellow-olive wings and tail. In winter, the male looks similar to the female, except that its wings and tail remain darker. Both the male and female have a pale, stout, smooth beak, pale legs, and small dark eyes.
It grows to 16-19 centimetres (6-8 inches) tall. Its wingspan is 25-30 centimetres (10-12 inches).
It is endemic to eastern Brazil and far north-eastern Argentina. It occurs along the coast.
It is frugivorous, eating fruit, but it will also eats insects and seeds.
The female Brazilian Tanager makes a cup-shaped nest and lays 2-3 eggs, which hatch after 11-14 days. The young are brownish in colour. They leave the nest after 9–12 days and can fly after a few weeks.
Location of photographs: London Zoo, United Kingdom
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM