Birds Active during the day

Blue-and-yellow Tanager

Rauenia bonariensis

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

A vibrant splash of sapphire and gold, the Blue-and-yellow Tanager is a frequent and welcome visitor to gardens across South America. This hardy and adaptable bird brings a tropical flair to backyard feeders with its striking plumage and energetic personality.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 16–18 cm (6.3–7.1 in); Weight: 30–45 g (1.1–1.6 oz)

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Colors

Males have a brilliant cobalt-blue head and wings, a black back, and bright yellow to orange underparts. Females are duller, with olive-brown bodies and a subtle blue-grey wash on the crown.

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Key Features

Vibrant blue hood and wing coverts (males)
Bright yellow or orange-yellow breast and belly
Deep black mantle and back
Stubby, dark bill and dark eyes

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 6:00 AM – 10:00 AM and 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM

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Season Year-round, with peak visibility during the southern spring (September–November)

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Diet Omnivorous with a heavy preference for fruit (frugivorous); they eat various berries, citrus, and garden fruits, supplemented by insects and occasionally flower nectar.

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Habitat Open woodlands, forest edges, scrublands, orchards, and suburban gardens.

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Where Does the Blue-and-yellow Tanager Live?

The Blue-and-yellow Tanager is native to South America, where it enjoys a massive and diverse range across the southern and central parts of the continent. It is most commonly found throughout the Pampas of Argentina, Uruguay, and Southern Brazil, but its reach extends westward into the Andean valleys of Bolivia, Chile, Peru, and Ecuador. Because it thrives in semi-open landscapes, it has successfully expanded into many urbanized areas across these nations, making it one of the most widely recognized tanagers in the region.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

8 Countries

3.5M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

AR Argentina BR Brazil UY Uruguay PY Paraguay BO Bolivia CL Chile PE Peru EC Ecuador

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Blue-and-yellow Tanager is a socially active and conspicuous bird, often seen moving through the canopy in pairs or small family groups. Unlike some more reclusive forest species, they are quite bold and have adapted exceptionally well to human presence, frequently visiting backyard gardens and city parks. They are highly energetic, constantly flitting between branches in search of food, and are known for their short, twittering songs that are most frequent during the early morning hours.

These birds are primarily arboreal, rarely descending to the ground except to visit low-lying fruit bushes or bird baths. During the breeding season, they become more territorial, though they may still join mixed-species foraging flocks outside of the nesting period. Their interaction with humans is generally positive, as they are easily attracted to feeders and provide natural pest control by gleaning insects from garden foliage.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

To capture the stunning colors of the Blue-and-yellow Tanager, position your camera near a reliable food source. These birds are highly attracted to 'fruit platforms'—flat feeders where you can place halved bananas, overripe papayas, or oranges. Mount the camera approximately 4 to 6 feet high, level with the feeder or a nearby 'staging branch' where the birds typically land to survey the area before eating.

Lighting is critical for this species; their blue plumage is structural and looks best in bright, indirect morning light. Avoid placing the camera where it will face the direct midday sun, which can wash out the deep yellow of their breast. A fast shutter speed or a high-frame-rate video setting is recommended, as these tanagers are quick, nervous feeders that rarely stay still for long.

Water is another excellent draw. A solar-powered bird fountain or a shallow stone bath can attract them for spectacular bathing shots. Because they are resident birds, you can keep your camera active year-round. In the winter months, when natural fruit is scarce, they will visit feeders more frequently, providing some of your best opportunities for close-up portraits.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Blue-and-yellow Tanager.

Sayaca Tanager

Lacks the yellow belly and black back; features a more uniform pale blue-grey plumage throughout.

Burnished-buff Tanager

Has a similar blue-grey head but features a sandy-buff or cinnamon-colored body rather than bright yellow.

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Frequently Asked Questions

They are most active in the early morning shortly after sunrise (around 6-9 AM) and again in the late afternoon before dusk. These are the best times to find them feeding or singing from high perches.

The most effective way is to offer fresh fruit. They are particularly fond of bananas, oranges, and papayas. Providing a clean water source for bathing and planting native fruit-bearing shrubs will also keep them coming back.

Their diet consists mostly of fruit and berries, but they are also skilled at catching insects. They can often be seen gleaning caterpillars and small beetles from the undersides of leaves.

Yes, they are highly adaptable and are one of the most common tanager species found in South American suburbs, cities, and agricultural areas, provided there are trees and food sources available.

The Blue-and-yellow Tanager male has a very distinct bright yellow belly and black back, whereas the Sayaca Tanager is almost entirely a uniform pale blue-grey or greenish-blue without the contrasting yellow underparts.

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