Masked Crimson Tanager

The Masked Crimson Tanager occurs in eastern Ecuador, where it inhabits humid lowland Amazonian forests, especially near rivers, swamps, and seasonally flooded woodlands below about 600 meters. It is fairly common in suitable habitat, often seen in small, noisy groups moving through the canopy in search of fruit, and occasionally joining mixed-species flocks with other tanagers. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a broad Amazonian range and a stable population, though it may lose over 10% of suitable habitat within three generations due to deforestation. Natural history observations highlight its striking red plumage with a black mask, frugivorous diet, and social behavior, with breeding biology still poorly documented but presumed to involve nesting near water in dense vegetation.