Turquoise Tanager

The Turquoise Tanager occurs in eastern Ecuador, where it inhabits humid lowland forests, forest edges, and secondary growth below about 800 meters, particularly in the upper Amazon Basin. It is generally uncommon but locally present, often seen in small, active flocks foraging in the canopy for fruit and insects, sometimes alongside other tanager species. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a broad Amazonian range and a stable population, though ongoing deforestation may pose future risks. Natural history observations highlight its dazzling blue and black plumage, social behavior, and role in seed dispersal, with nesting typically occurring in concealed cup-shaped nests high in the forest canopy.