Species profile
About this species
The Multicoloured Tanager is a strikingly vivid bird endemic to the western Andes of Colombia, renowned for its spectacular plumage featuring patches of blue, green, yellow, black & chestnut. It is a small passerine measuring approximately 12 cm in length, inhabiting humid montane forests typically between 1200 & 2000 metres elevation. The species is considered vulnerable due to ongoing habitat loss from deforestation across its restricted range.
Humid montane cloud forests & forest edges in the western Andes of Colombia, typically at elevations between 1200 & 2000 metres, often in areas with dense canopy cover & abundant fruiting trees
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Multicoloured 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 between 06:00 & 09:00 is optimal when birds are most active & vocal. The dry season months of December through February & July through August offer clearer skies & more reliable sightings in the Colombian Andes.
Position yourself near fruiting trees or mixed-species flocks in the forest understorey, as the Multicoloured Tanager regularly joins these foraging groups & will remain relatively still while feeding. Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/1000s to freeze any sudden movements, & a wide aperture to separate the bird from the dense forest background. Overcast conditions can actually benefit photography by softening harsh contrasts & bringing out the full vibrancy of the bird's multicoloured plumage without blown highlights.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Multicoloured 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.