Photo: Francesco Veronesi from Italy / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
White-capped Tanager
Sericossypha albocristata
White-capped Tanager (Sericossypha albocristata) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of South America.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The White-capped Tanager (Sericossypha albocristata) is a member of the Thraupidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 114 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Thraupidae Tanagers & Allies
- Genus Sericossypha
- Species albocristata
Quick facts
- Weight
- 114 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The White-capped Tanager is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The White-capped Tanager is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The White-capped Tanager (Sericossypha albocristata) belongs to the Thraupidae family of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans South America. Its distribution covers SA Venezuela to Peru.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 114 g, with a wing length of about 13.6 cm and a tail of around 9.3 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 103,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the White-capped Tanager?
The White-capped Tanager is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 114 g.
Where does the White-capped Tanager live?
The White-capped Tanager is found across South America with a range covering SA Venezuela to Peru, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the White-capped Tanager belong to?
The White-capped Tanager (Sericossypha albocristata) belongs to the Thraupidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the White-capped Tanager eat?
The White-capped Tanager is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the White-capped Tanager migrate?
The White-capped Tanager is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the White-capped Tanager endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the White-capped Tanager make?
1 real field recording of the White-capped Tanager — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the White-capped Tanager's range?
The White-capped Tanager has a mapped global range of about 103,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
Best Bird Feeders for Garden Songbirds
How to choose a bird feeder for garden songbirds — the feeder styles compared, the seed they prefer, where to hang it, and how to keep birds safe. A decision framework grounded in real data, with no mystery picks.
Meet the Thraupidae
A field guide to the Thraupidae family — 394 species in the Birbs encyclopedia, with the best-known members to start with.