The Azure Tanagers range extends from Venezuela in the north through Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia to Peru and is found on the lower slopes of the Andes in all of these areas.
Subspecies: There are three sub species and they differ from the nominate race in so much that they have varying areas of grey on the top and sides of head.
Plumage Colouration: The Azure Tanager is virtually all azure blue except for tail primaries, lesser wing coverts, and a small area around the face of which is black. Legs and feet are grey and the eyes are black.
Sub-adults are a very dirty washed out charcoal grey with slightly darker wings and tail.
Sexing: Sexes are identical, although I always pick one which has a flat head and one which has a round head, this I believe is the way to sex Tanagers.
Feeding: The main diet for all Tanagers is fruit, livefood, insectivorous mixture and nectar when breeding or first imported.
FRUIT: Pears (Conference pears) and apples (Golden Delicious) cut in half and the cores cut out. Pomegranate cut in half and popped open to expose all the fruit inside.
Banana, Seedless Grapes and Papaya.
LIVEFOOD :Buffalo and Mini Mealworms, Small Brown Crickets, Waxworms and Fruit Flies.
INSECTIVOROUS MIXTURE: The best I have found is Haiths Prosecto Insectivorous from Haiths in Cleethorpes.
NECTAR: (Only give nectar when first imported or when breeding.)
The mix for this is 1 Scoop of Wysoy baby food mixed with 2 Scoops of Glucose. Mix together with a little boiling water and then make up to 500mls with cold water.
Housing: Once acclimatised Azure Tanagers will settle well into an aviary or a double breeder. They seem to be quite friendly to other species of birds and are quite tolerant of other Tanagers.
They must be kept at a minimum temperature of 60ºF and kept in a frost free shelter in the winter months. They can be let out into an outside aviary when the days are warm.
This species spends half its time sunbathing and the other half flitting through the undergrowth searching for any insects it may find.
Breeding: The best way to breed any Tanager is to keep one pair per aviary or cage (double breeder) with a range of nest boxes, the best in my opinion being a half open fronted finch nest box to which they will make a deep cup shaped nest made entirely of coconut fibre and will sometimes line this with strips of newspaper.
They normally lay 2 eggs which are creamy white with brown specks and these are incubated for approximately 14 days and usually fledge between 14-18 days later. Sub-adults are a very dirty version of the adults.
Hints/tips: Always buy your birds from a reputable source and don't worry if they are devoid of feathers because as long as there is no scarring on the skin the feathers should grow back. Always look for the bright-round eyed birds and if at all possible go for juveniles because they settle better in captivity and make much better show birds.
When you first obtain these charming little characters they will need to be caged separately in a small cage with the addition of nectar to their normal diet for approximately 2 weeks. After about 4 days if all is going well then the amount of nectar can be reduced to every other day where all of a sudden you will notice that they stop taking nectar and this is when you have weaned them onto your own diet. Nectar is important when you first get them, (especially if you bought them from an importer), because the importer often puts them on nectar to help them survive and that is the only reason. If you are lucky enough to breed them a nectar mix is advisable at all times whilst incubating and fledging is taking place.
Unique Characteristics: This is my favourite Tanager and they are one of the most inquisitive, confident Tanagers I have kept and everyone that owns them falls in love with their little antics. They never seem to fall out with any species of birds that share their aviary.
They make great show birds because they are so steady in a show cage and seem to woo the judges into giving them Best in Show.
Showing: I would show these birds in a large show cage with blotting paper in the bottom to soak up their watery droppings and a small bunch of flowers in the corner. The show cage dimensions should be approximately 18" Wide X 30" Long X 20" High.
If you would like to know any other information about these or any of my other birds please feel free to get in touch by email c/o derek.heath1@ntlworld.com
