Hooded Mountain Tanager

The Hooded Mountain Tanager occurs along both slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes, inhabiting humid montane forests and forest edges typically between 2,800 and 3,500 meters. It is generally uncommon but locally present, often seen in small groups or mixed-species flocks foraging in the canopy for fruit and insects, with its large size and striking blue-and-black plumage making it one of the most distinctive highland tanagers. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a broad Andean range and a stable population that tolerates moderate habitat disturbance. Natural history observations highlight its slow, deliberate movements, social behavior, and preference for mossy forest interiors, though its nesting biology in Ecuador remains poorly documented.