Parrot Tanager

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Tanager
Thraupidae

Tanagra (there are over 200 species in the family) are widespread in the Western Hemisphere, but they are not found in the Eastern. These are tropical birds, especially numerous in South America and the islands of the West Indies. Some species have also mastered less hot regions with a temperate climate. So, tanagra are seen even in the southern regions of Canada. Callista (another name for tanager) keep in small groups in dense forests, savannas, bushes, gardens and parks.

Like most other tropical birds, tanagra are very brightly colored. Their plumage is dominated by bright colors: yellow, green, red, blue. Despite the brilliant plumage of callistas, they are very difficult to see due to their secretive lifestyle. Most often they can be detected by their voice, all tanagra are wonderful singers.
Open bowl-shaped nests of callistas are located in the forks of branches, high above the ground, less often on bushes. Tanager eggs are white, greenish, blue or cream with spots. The clutch usually contains 2-5 eggs. The female incubates the clutch for 12-19 days, the male sings nearby and brings her food. Both parents feed the chicks. It often happens that neighbors help them: 3-5 adult birds feed the chicks sitting in the same nest. And in some species, young birds that have barely learned to fly feed the chicks of the second brood, helping their parents. Callistas feed on juicy fruits, buds, buds, insects, which they deftly peck from branches and leaves, quickly catch up in the air.
Tanager is often caught and caged by bird lovers who are attracted by their bright plumage and beautiful voice. Unfortunately, the shiny callista outfit also attracts collectors who shoot these wonderful birds.

From mythology

Artemis often hunted in the green hills of Arcadia. In her retinue, in addition to the nymphs, there was also the mortal beautiful daughter of Lycaon Callisto, who devoted herself to the goddess of the hunt and took a vow of virginity. Once Zeus saw her resting under the shade of trees. To take possession of the impregnable Callisto, he took the form of Artemis and seduced the daughter of Lycaon. The goddess-huntress, upon learning of this, became angry and drove away Callisto, who had broken her vow of chastity.
In due time, Callisto gave birth to a boy and named him Arcade. Zeus gave his son to Hermes to be raised. Jealous Hera, having learned about another betrayal of her husband, turned her rival, the beautiful Callisto, into a bear.
Once Arkad, who was already 15 years old, was hunting in the forest and, lagging behind his comrades, saw a bear. He did not recognize his mother Callisto in animal form.
Arkad had already drawn his bow and was ready to shoot an arrow. But Zeus did not let the crime happen. He lifted Callisto and Arcade to the sky. He turned his beloved into the constellation Ursa Major, and his son into the star Arcturus.
But even in heaven, Hera did not leave unhappy Callisto alone. She forbade her to bathe in the waters of the Ocean. This is why the constellation Ursa Major never touches the horizon.

Introduction

Parrot Tanager (lat. Chlorornis riefferii ) - a bird from the tanager family (Thraupidae). Is the only species of the genus Chlorornis.

1. Description

The parrot tanager is 20 cm in size and weighs 53 grams. Nests are built from mosses and ferns, lays light gray eggs with purple or gray specks. It feeds on the tops of shrubs and feeds on their fruits and insects.

2. Dissemination

This bird is distributed over a fairly large area of 300,000 km 2 in the subtropical forests of the Andes, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia at an altitude of 1500-3350 m above sea level. Parrot tanagers are found in pairs or groups of up to 6 individuals.