Magpie Tanager (Cissopis leverianus)

[order] Passeriformes | [family] Thraupidae | [latin] Cissopis leverianus | [UK] Magpie Tanager | [FR] Tangara pillurion | [DE] Elstertangare | [ES] Moriche Blanco | [IT] Tangara gazza | [NL] Ekstertangare

The Magpie Tanager is large and unmistakable with its long black and white tail, its yellow iris and its blue-black hood.

It is found in forest borders and secondary growth or clearings around the Amazon Basin and in south-east Brazil where it is common, but rarer in the Guianas.

Inhabits humid tropical and subtropical woodland, plantations, second growth, and parks

The cup-shaped nest is lined with grass, leaves or other plant materials and is located low in trees near the ground or in shrubs in dense vegetation. The 2 eggs are reddish-brown with brown spots. The incubation time is 12-13 days in captivity.

Typically occurs in conspicious, noisy pairs or groups of up to 10 individuals. Commonly takes part in mixed-species flocks. Often moves long tail up and down. Eats seed, fruits and insects.

This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.