Species profile
About this species
The Hooded Mountain Tanager is a striking, large tanager found in the Andean cloud forests of South America. It displays vivid blue & black plumage with a bold red eye, making it one of the most visually impressive members of the tanager family. It typically forages in pairs or small groups along forest edges & mossy montane habitats.
Montane cloud forests & forest edges in the Andes, typically at elevations between 2000m & 3500m, spanning Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru & Bolivia.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Hooded Mountain 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 between 6am & 9am are optimal, when the birds are most actively foraging. The dry season months between June & September generally offer clearer skies & better visibility in Andean cloud forests.
Position yourself near fruiting trees at mid-elevation cloud forest edges, as these birds are reliably attracted to fruit sources & will perch conspicuously. Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/800s to capture the vivid blue plumage sharply, as the bird moves frequently between branches. Overcast light conditions are ideal for reducing harsh highlights on the bright blue feathers & revealing true colour detail.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Hooded Mountain 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.