White-capped Tanager

The white-capped tanager (Sericossypha albocristata) is a South American bird in the tanager family Thraupidae. It is the only member of the genus Sericossypha. It lives in humid Andean forest in groups of up to 20 individuals. Flocks of these tanagers stay in tight formation, often foraging from tree to tree together. They may eat fruits, seeds, hymenoptera, and coleoptera.

Taxonomy: The white-capped tanager was formally described in 1843 by the French ornithologist Frédéric de Lafresnaye under the Latin name Tangara (Lamprotes) albo-cristatus. The species is now the only species placed in the genus Sericossypha that was introduced in 1844 by René Lesson. The genus name combines the Ancient Greek sērikos meaning "silken" with kossuphos meaning "blackbird". The specific epithet albocristata is formed from the Latin albus meaning "white" with cristatus meaning "crested" or "plumed". The species is monotypic: no subspecies are recognised.

 The white-capped tanager is one of the largest tanagers, being the heaviest bird in the family, but not the longest. It weighs in at 114 g (4 oz) and reaches a length of 24 cm (9.5 in). This species is glossy black overall with a large white crown and a red throat. It has a striking and unmistakable coloration, with an overall glossy black plumage, contrasting with a bright red throat and large white crown. The throat is brightest in adult males, with females having duskier throats that approach purple in their coloration.

Distribution and habitat: The white-capped tanager is a Neotropical endemic that occurs in Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Peru at elevations of 1600–3200 m. It inhabits both slopes of the Andes at different regions in its range.