Plumages, Molts, and Structure

Adult: Sexes similar. Overall the body is described as opalescent blue-green (Ridgely and Tudor 1989, Ridgely and Greenfield 2001, Ridgely and Tudor 2009), but depending on light conditions the overall color can appear more green or blue (Hilty and Brown 1986). The center of the crown and a small mask that covers the eyes are black (Hilty and Brown 1986, Ridgely and Tudor 1989, Ridgely and Greenfield 2001, Ridgely and Tudor 2009). The forehead of this tanager may be anywhere from an opalescent green to straw gold (Hilty and Brown 1986). The nape and scapulars are black (Hilty and Brown 1986, Isler and Isler 1987, Ridgely and Tudor 1989, Ridgely and Greenfield 2001, Ridgely and Tudor 2009). The wings and tail are primarily black and have blue-green edges (Ridgely and Tudor 1989, Ridgely and Greenfield 2001). The center of the belly to the crissum is a dull buff (Ridgely and Tudor 1989, Ridgely and Greenfield 2001).

Juvenile: Duller than adults; underparts are yellowishwhite with a gray tinge (Restall et al. 2007).

There is little information on molts of the Metallic-green Tanager. Miller (1963) found a few molting individuals: an adult nonbreeding female with primaries 4 to 9 yet to be molted on April 18, an adult male with primaries 6 to 9 yet to be molted on May 5, and an immature female probably no more than four or five months old with primaries 5 to 9 yet to be molted. Miller (1963) estimated that the Metallic-green Tanager molts to its adult type plumage at six months or less.

Iris: brown

Bill: black

Tarsi and toes: gray

Bare parts color data from Restall et al. (2007).

Total length: 12 cm (Isler and Isler 1987), 13 cm (Hilty and Brown 1986, Ridgely and Tudor 1989, Ridgely and Greenfield 2001, Ridgely and Tudor 2009).

Mass: mean 15 g (range 13.0-16.4 g; n = 14, Isler and Isler 1987).