Blue-gray Tanager

The Blue-gray Tanager occurs widely across Ecuador, thriving in lowland and foothill regions on both slopes of the Andes, from sea level up to about 1,800 meters. It is common and conspicuous in a variety of habitats, including forest edges, gardens, plantations, and urban parks, often seen in pairs or small flocks foraging for fruit and insects. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a vast Neotropical range and a global population estimated at over 50 million mature individuals, showing a stable or increasing trend. Natural history observations highlight its sociable behavior, soft twittering calls, and loosely built cup nests placed in shrubs or trees, with both sexes participating in parental care.