The Azure-Shouldered Tanager Is A Picture Of Dusty Blue Loveliness

By Amy Pilkington, Diply

I usually feature brightly-colored bird specimens in these articles, but just because the azure-shouldered tanager is more muted than some of the other blue birds I've highlighted, doesn't mean it's any less beautiful.

In fact, I kind of adore the dusty, purply blue hue in some of these photos enough to consider matching it for a paint color in my home.

It would be lovely in a powder room or nursery. Pale and calming, but not too pastel.

The azure-shouldered tanager is native to Brazil, particularly along the ocean coast. They live in humid forests.

They can often be confused with sayaca tanagers, which are also light blue.

But the sayaca ones are more grayish and their wings aren't so bright in comparison to their bodies.

Tanagers are omnivores, feasting on everything from fruit and seeds, to nectar, parts of flowers, and insects.

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Sadly, habitat loss is making these pretty birds a rarer sight.

Azure-shouldered tanagers are currently listed as Near Threatened.

Hopefully, more awareness of the pretty little birds will help the push towards more conservation efforts.

Much of their habitat loss is due to urban sprawl and the clearcutting of forests to make room for agriculture and development.

See more at: Diply