Brassy-breasted Tanager Tangara desmaresti

One of several Tangara tanagers endemic to the mountains of southeastern Brazil, the Brassy-breasted Tanager easily is distinguished from other similar species by its mostly green plumage with an orange-yellow (brass colored) breast patch, turquoise blue band across the sides of the head and crown, and black forecrown and throat patch. This species regularly joins mixed-species foraging flocks with other tanagers, including the Gilt-edged Tanager (Tangara cyanoventris), as well as with foliage-gleaners, becards, and other species. Its diet appears to consist entirely of small fruits and some insects. The Brassy-breasted Tanager inhabits forest edge, tall second growth, and even plantations, from about 600 m up to 2200 m, and its geographical range spans the states of Espírito Santo south to Paraná.