Tuesday, 9 December 2025

Blue-gray Tanager (Thraupis episcopus)

OTHER NAMES: Blue Jean
Latin Etymology: Thraupis (an unidentified bird mentioned by Aristotle) episcopus ("bishop")

Blue-gray Tanager (Thraupis episcopus) at San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Thraupis episcopus cana
Weight: 30-40g  /  Length: 16-18cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS IUCN Red List: Least Concern

One of the more common and instantly recognisable birds in Costa Rica, the Blue-grey Tanager is precisely the bird of it's name - a distinctively pale blue bird with azure wings and tail. They have adapted well to human disturbance and their varied diet of nectar, insects and fruits is versatile enough to support them in a range of habitats. 
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Thraupidae
Genus: Thraupis
SUBSPECIES: T. e. cana, T. e. caesita, T. e. cumatilis, T. e. nesophilus, T. e. berlepschi, T. e. quaesita, T. e. leucoptera, T. e. mediana, T. e. coelestis, T. e. episcopus, T. e. caerulea, T. e. major, T. e. urubambae
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Tanagara Azuleja ("Blue Tanager")
A widespread and common species
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen throughout
 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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