Tanagers (Family Thraupidae)

The tanagers comprise the bird Family Thraupidae, in the Order
Passeriformes. The family has an American distribution. There
were traditionally about 240 species of tanagers, but the taxonomic

treatment of this family's members is currently in a state of flux.

Tanagers are restricted to the New World and mainly to the tropics.
About 60% of tanagers live in South America, and 30% of these
species live in the Andes. Most species are endemic to a relatively
small area.

Tanagers are small to medium-sized birds. The shortest-bodied species,
the whiteeared conebill, is 9 cm (3.8 in) long and weighs 7 grams, barely
smaller than the shortbilled honeycreeper. The longest, the magpie
tanager is 28 cm (11 in) and weighs 76 grams (2.7 oz). The heaviest is
the whitecapped tanager which weighs 114 grams (4 oz) and measures
about 23 cm (8.7 in). Both sexes are usually the same size and weight.
Tanagers are often brightly colored, but some species are black and
white. Birds in their first year are often duller or a different color
altogether. Males are typically more brightly coloured than females.

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