The golden tanager is found in the Andean foothills and subtropical zone from Bolivia up through Venezuela. It is golden-yellow with a black ear patch, black and yellow streaked back, mostly black wings and tail, black bill and gray legs. Northernmost birds have a chestnut breast-band and flanks. There are nine subspecies, based on differences in plumage, which the IUCN treats as separate species.
The birds we saw, found on the western slopes of the Andes in Ecuador (at Amagusa Preserve in Mashpi and in Mindo), sometimes had some light orange on the forehead, crown and even belly.
What a beautiful bird. I love the shifting patterns on the back and the blue feet and beak.
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