About Blue Gray Tanagers
They are 6 inches in length, including the 2 inch long tail, and weigh about 1 ounce. The head, throat, and belly of the blue gray tanager are light gray color with a pale green hue. The wings and tail are a bright blue while the back is a darker shade of blue. The sexes share the same coloration, but the females tend to be slightly less brilliant and grayer than the males. Blue gray tanagers are normally found in pairs or small flocks and are comfortable living in the presence of humans.
Predators for the tanager include snakes, birds of prey, and crocodiles. Many young are also consumed by raccoons which eat young birds and eggs. However, the main threat for this species is deforestation.
Blue Gray Tanagers in the Wild
Habitat
The tanager spends most of its time on the ground searching for small fruits and insects.
Location
These birds are found in semi-open habitats in South America from Mexico south to northeast Bolivia and northern Brazil, all of the Amazon Basin, except the very south. They have also been introduced to Lima, Peru, and Florida.
Diet
Blue gray tanagers feed mainly on fruit, but will also take some nectar and insects. Because of its feeding preferences, the blue gray tanager is an integral part of seed dispersal for many of the plants in the tropics.
Population Status
Listed as “least concern.”
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