Spotted Tanager

The Spotted Tanager occurs in humid montane forests along the eastern slope of the Ecuadorian Andes, typically between 800 and 2,200 meters, where it frequents forest edges, canopy gaps, and mature secondary growth. It is generally uncommon but regularly observed, often joining mixed-species flocks and foraging actively in the canopy for fruit and insects, with its distinctive spotted plumage making it one of the more striking tanagers. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population across its Andean range, though it may be locally affected by habitat fragmentation. Natural history observations highlight its social behavior, rapid movements, and cup-shaped nests built in concealed midstory vegetation, with breeding activity peaking during the rainy season.