Red-billed Pied Tanager Lamprospiza melanoleuca Scientific name definitions

The Red-billed Pied Tanager is unmistakable with its red bill, and white underparts contrasting with the black back, head and throat. In the monospecific genus, Lamprospiza, the Red-billed Pied Tanager's taxonomic relationship to other tanagers in the family Thraupidae is unclear; however, a number of researchers and authors have noted its resemblance to the genus Cissopis. Mainly seen in mixed species flocks high up in the canopy, this tanager forages for fruits and insects while vocalizing frequently. Despite being difficult to study and having an unknown population status, the Red-billed Pied Tanager has not been placed on any threatened species lists due to its large geographic range.

17–18 cm; 24–42 g, mean 31–32 g. Male  has head and entire upperparts  including upperwing-coverts, flight-feathers and fairly long tail, glossy blue-black; throat and centre of chest black, white patch on side of chest bordered below by oblique black band from centre of chest to side of body; rest of underparts white, thighs black; iris dark brown; bill thick, bright red; legs brownish-grey to black. Female is similar to male but hindneck , back, rump and uppertail-coverts grey; oblique band on each side of breast often less distinct or mottled with white, and lower underparts often cream-coloured or tinged creamy cinna­mon. Juvenile is distinctive, has bill black, head black (not glossy), upper back white, lower back black with white scaling and mottling, rump greyish-white, upperwing-coverts bluish-black with white tips, chin and underparts white, throat and chest white mixed with black, and thigh mixed black and white.

Lowlands of E & SE Peru (S Loreto S to Madre de Dios and N Puno) and N Bolivia (Beni) E across C & E Brazil (NW Mato Grosso, E Amazonas and Pará) to Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.

Observed to feed on Cecropia catkins. Stomach contents included berries and seeds, also beetles (Coleoptera). Wide-ranging, and usually seen in groups of 3–8 individuals that forage high in canopy and in crown of emergent trees; pairs and groups occasionally descend to middle levels or lower at forest borders. Groups may associate with mixed-species flocks, mainly those containing other tanagers, honeycreepers and other species of canopy and emergent trees, but seem not to forage for extended periods of time with them; also encountered independently of mixed flocks. Will forage with other species at fruiting trees. Groups often leave a fruiting tree or high foraging site and fly long distance over top of canopy, calling, only to return a short time later. Foraging territories of groups seem quite large, perhaps 2–3 times as big as that of the mixed flock with which associated. In Suriname and elsewhere, perches horizontally, often on fairly large open branches (8–10 cm in diameter). Forages by hopping mostly along open branches and peering downwards to inspect sides of branch; reported also as leaping back and forth among larger open limbs in crown of tall tree, opening wings only once or twice to cover distance of c. 3–6 m, possibly capturing insects in air.

Flocks sometimes quite vocal, giving fairly high-pitched, hard piercing calls , in fairly rapid succession, e.g. “ééé-ééh...ééé-ééé-ééh...ééé-ééh-yuu...”, sometimes for extended periods of time. Song has similar penetrating nasal quality, a semi-musical but jumbled series of complex phrases and notes, reminiscent of song of an Oryzoborus seed-finch, or of a Sporophila seedeater delivered at brisk pace.

Female sitting at nest recorded in Amazonas State in Feb. There are also records of a flock with two fledged young in Mato Grosso in Aug and pair with three fledged young in Amazonas State in Sept (1 Kirwan, G. M. (2009). Notes on the breeding ecology and seasonality of some Brazilian birds. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 17(2):121–136. Close ). No further information.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Uncommon. Occurs at low density, in part because of large foraging territories. Requires mature terra firme forest. Has reasonably large range, and no obvious threats.