Species profile
About this species
The Golden-chested Tanager is a striking bird found in the humid forests of western Colombia & northwestern Ecuador. It is characterised by its vivid golden-yellow breast contrasting with deep blue-green upperparts, making it one of the more visually spectacular tanagers in the region. The species tends to forage in the mid-storey & canopy of dense montane forest, often in mixed-species flocks.
Humid montane cloud forest & forest edges at elevations typically between 700 & 1500 metres on the western slopes of the Andes in Colombia & Ecuador.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Golden-chested Tanager with us in Colombia.
These departures are part of our South America programme.
In the field, David Miles helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
Early morning hours shortly after dawn offer the best light & most active feeding behaviour. The dry season months between June & September generally provide clearer skies & better visibility in the cloud forest habitat.
Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/500s to freeze movement as these birds are active & rarely stay still for long. Position yourself near fruiting trees or forest edges where light penetrates the canopy, as the dense interior can make exposure challenging. A telephoto lens of 400mm or longer is recommended to capture sharp detail without disturbing the bird & causing it to flush.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Golden-chested Tanager
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.