Species profile
About this species
The Blue-Necked Tanager is a strikingly colourful bird native to the Andes & surrounding lowlands of South America, found from Colombia south to Bolivia. It displays a vivid combination of turquoise-blue on the head & neck, black on the back, and bright green & blue on the wings & underparts. This small passerine is commonly found in forest edges, gardens & humid montane forests, often travelling in mixed-species flocks.
Humid montane forests, forest edges, secondary growth & gardens in the Andean foothills & surrounding lowlands of South America, typically at elevations between 300 & 1800 metres above sea level.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Blue-Necked Tanager with us in Peru.
These departures are part of our South America programme.
In the field, David Miles helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
Early morning hours shortly after dawn offer the best light & activity levels, as the birds are most active while feeding. The dry season between December & March tends to provide clearer skies & better visibility in their Andean habitats.
Position yourself near fruiting trees where these tanagers regularly feed, as they are most approachable when focussed on foraging. Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/1000s to freeze movement & capture the iridescent plumage in sharp detail. Shoot in soft diffused light rather than harsh midday sun to best render the subtle colour variations across the plumage.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Blue-Necked Tanager
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.
