The Scarlet-rumped Tanager, scientific name Ramphocelus passerinii, is a bird species belonging to the family Thraupidae, commonly known as the tanagers. It is one of the most stunningly beautiful members of the tanager family and is found in Central and South America.
Identification:
Field Identification: The Scarlet-rumped Tanager is hard to miss due to its bright, eye-catching coloring. It has a black head and upperparts, bright red underparts, and a deep red rump.
It also has a black tail with feather tips broadly edged in white. The bill is black, and the eyes are dark brown.
The male and female are similar in appearance, though females may appear slightly duller. Similar Species: Scarlet-rumped Tanagers are often mistaken for other similarly-colored birds like the Flame-rumped Tanager, which also has a scarlet rump and red underparts.
However, the Flame-rumped Tanager has a green mantle and back. Another species is the Crimson-backed Tanager, which has a red rump, but the rest of its plumage is bright crimson-red.
Plumages:
The Scarlet-rumped Tanager has two distinct plumages – breeding and non-breeding. Breeding Plumage: During the breeding season, male Scarlet-rumped Tanagers sport their most vibrant colors.
The black feathers on their head and upperparts are shiny, and their red underparts and rump are intensely bright. This striking appearance is essential when attracting a mate.
Non-Breeding Plumage: During the non-breeding season, both male and female Scarlet-rumped Tanagers lose their bright colors and sport a duller plumage. While the red feathers on their underparts and rump remain, the black feathers on their head and upperparts become duller.
Molts:
Like most birds, Scarlet-rumped Tanagers undergo an annual molt, losing and regrowing their feathers typically after the breeding season. Molting allows birds to replace damaged or worn feathers, ensuring they are in top condition for the upcoming breeding season.
In conclusion, the Scarlet-rumped Tanager is a stunningly colorful bird that is easily identifiable by its vibrant plumage. While it may be mistaken for other similarly-colored species, its unique combination of black and red feathers make it hard to miss.
The species has striking breeding and non-breeding plumages, providing a clear indication of their role in attracting a mate. Understanding the plumages and molting cycles of the Scarlet-rumped Tanager provides valuable insights into the life history of this beautiful bird.
Systematics History
The Scarlet-rumped Tanager, Ramphocelus passerinii, is a strikingly beautiful bird that belongs to the tanager family Thraupidae. The classification of this species has undergone revisions, and its systematics history is fascinating.
The first description of the Scarlet-rumped Tanager was given by John Gould in 1838.
Geographic Variation
The Scarlet-rumped Tanager is primarily found in Central and South America, where it occupies a variety of habitats, including forest edges, gardens, and plantations. Within this region, the species exhibits geographic variation.
Subspecies
There are several recognized subspecies of the Scarlet-rumped Tanager, each with its unique characteristics. 1.
R. p.
passerinii: This is the nominate subspecies and is found from southeastern Nicaragua to western Ecuador. 2.
R. p.
citrinellus: This subspecies is found in the eastern Andes from Colombia, Venezuela, and Trinidad south to Peru. 3.
R. p.
icteronotus: This subspecies is found in Brazil, south of the Amazon River, to northeastern Argentina. 4.
R. p.
aureiventris: This subspecies is found in northeastern Brazil. 5.
R. p.
coccineiventris: This subspecies is found in southeastern Brazil. 6.
R. p.
peruanus: This subspecies is found in the Pacific slope of western Peru.
Related Species
The Scarlet-rumped Tanager has many close relatives within the Ramphocelus genus, such as the Red-capped Tanager (R. ruficapillus) and the Speckled Tanager (R.
dimidiatus). The species within this genus share many similarities, such as bright colors and a range of vocalizations.
Historical Changes to Distribution
Like many tropical species, the Scarlet-rumped Tanager has undergone significant changes in its distribution. Due to habitat destruction and fragmentation, the species has become rare in some areas, resulting in population declines in many regions.
Researchers suggest that climate change is another factor that could have influenced this species’ distribution.
Colonization and Deforestation
Deforestation and habitat fragmentation are the primary factors affecting the Scarlet-rumped Tanager’s population decline. With increased human population and economic development, forests have been cleared for agriculture and urbanization.
Brazil and Peru have reported significant deforestation rates in recent years, which has affected the species’ population.
Global Climate Change
Global climate change is another factor influencing the Scarlet-rumped Tanager’s distribution range. Researchers predict that rising temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns will impact bird populations in Central and South America.
These changes will affect the availability of food and water resources, making it difficult for some species to survive.
Conservation Status
The Scarlet-rumped Tanager is considered a species of “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). While populations are declining in some regions, the species still has a relatively large range and population size.
Nevertheless, the IUCN highlights the importance of understanding how habitat loss and climate change may affect the species in the future.
In Conclusion
The Scarlet-rumped Tanager is a striking and beautiful bird that exhibits fascinating geographic variation across its range. Understanding its systematics history, geographic variation, subspecies, and related species is essential to appreciate this beautiful species fully.
The species’ distribution range has been greatly affected by deforestation and fragmentation, and climate change is another factor that could threaten its survival. It is crucial that we work to conserve this species to ensure that it remains a vibrant and essential part of the ecosystem.