Blue-gray Tanager, Thraupis episcopus

Blue-gray Tanager, Thraupis episcopus. Photographs courtesy of Dr. Tom Bartol, Carlsbad, California, taken in the coastal region of Costa Rica, February 2016.

Background and Identification

The Blue-gray Tanager, Thraupis episcopus, is a member of the Thraupidae Family of Tanagers and Allies. This species is one of the most ubiquitous birds of the Neotropics. The Neotropics include Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. In Mexico, this species is called Tangara Azulgris.

Blue-grey Tanagers are sexually monomorphic, males and females are of similar size and color. The average length is 16 cm (6.3 inches) and the average weight of 27 g (0.95 oz) to 45 g (1.58 oz). Adult Blue-gray Tanagers are characterized by their soft blue-gray plumage, pale blue head and underparts, and darker blue wings and tail. This species of tanager has a stout and conical bill adapted for their omnivorous diet of insects, flowers, leaves, nectar, and seasonal berries and fruits when they are available.

Habitat and Geographical Range

Blue-gray Tanagers inhabit a wide range of environments, including tropical and subtropical forests, forest edges, gardens, parks, and urban areas. They prefer open and semi-open habitats where fruiting trees and shrubs are abundant. They are also commonly found in plantations and agricultural areas.

Geographically, the Blue-gray Tanager is widespread across much of Central and South America. They are resident birds that only travel only short distances in response to changing fruit abundance and overall food availability. Their range extends from southern Mexico through Central America and into South America, reaching as far south as Bolivia and northern Argentina. They are also found in the Caribbean islands, including Trinidad and Tobago. In Mexico, specifically, they are found in the coastal regions within both the Atlantic and Pacific Slopes in the States of Campeche, Chiapas, Oaxaca, San Luis Potosi, Tabasco, Veracruz, and Yucatán at elevations below 2,600 m (8,500 feet).

Common Misidentifications

The Blue-gray Tanager can be confused with other similar-looking tanagers and small blue-gray birds within its range. One such species is the Palm Tanager, Thraupis palmarum, which shares similar habitats. The Palm Tanager has a more olive-green coloration, especially on its back and wings, and lacks the distinct blue-gray tones of the Blue-gray.

Conservation Status

From a conservation perspective the Blue-gray Tanager is currently considered to be of Least Concern with stable, widely distributed populations. The adaptability of this species to various habitats, including urban and agricultural areas, contributes to its resilience.