Cone-billed Tanager
Encyclopedia
The Cone-billed Tanager (Conothraupis mesoleuca) is a species of bird
in the Thraupidae family.
It is endemic to Brazil
.
It was described on the basis of a single male specimen collected in Mato Grosso
, Brazil, in 1938. No other individuals were collected or seen and some feared the bird had become extinct, while others speculated that it possibly only was an aberrant Black-and-white Tanager
(unlikely, as the Black-and-white Tanager only occurs far from the region where the Cone-billed was collected). In 2003, it was rediscovered by D. Buzzetti in gallery woodland and Cerrado
in the Emas National Park
, only to be independently rediscovered at the same locality in 2004 by B. A. Carlos.
The male resembles the male Black-and-white Tanager, but differs by its black flanks and crissum (the latter often white-spotted), and its strikingly whitish-grey bill (this has faded in the type specimen, currently kept in MNHN
, where it appears dark dusky-horn). The plumage
of the female is closer to that of the female Ultramarine Grosbeak
than that of the female Black-and-white Tanager, but a longer, more detailed description is currently being prepared for publication.
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
in the Thraupidae family.
It is endemic to Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
.
It was described on the basis of a single male specimen collected in Mato Grosso
Mato Grosso
Mato Grosso is one of the states of Brazil, the third largest in area, located in the western part of the country.Neighboring states are Rondônia, Amazonas, Pará, Tocantins, Goiás and Mato Grosso do Sul. It also borders Bolivia to the southwest...
, Brazil, in 1938. No other individuals were collected or seen and some feared the bird had become extinct, while others speculated that it possibly only was an aberrant Black-and-white Tanager
Black-and-white Tanager
The Black-and-white Tanager is a tanager found in Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and the Brazilian state of Acre. The only other member of its genus is the recently rediscovered Cone-billed Tanager....
(unlikely, as the Black-and-white Tanager only occurs far from the region where the Cone-billed was collected). In 2003, it was rediscovered by D. Buzzetti in gallery woodland and Cerrado
Cerrado
The Cerrado, is a vast tropical savanna ecoregion of Brazil, particularly in the states of Gioas and Minas Gerais...
in the Emas National Park
Emas National Park
The Emas National Park |Rhea]] National Park") is a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Sitein the states of Goiás and Mato Grosso do Sul in Brazil.-Description:...
, only to be independently rediscovered at the same locality in 2004 by B. A. Carlos.
The male resembles the male Black-and-white Tanager, but differs by its black flanks and crissum (the latter often white-spotted), and its strikingly whitish-grey bill (this has faded in the type specimen, currently kept in MNHN
Muséum national d'histoire naturelle
The Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle is the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, France.- History :The museum was formally founded on 10 June 1793, during the French Revolution...
, where it appears dark dusky-horn). The plumage
Plumage
Plumage refers both to the layer of feathers that cover a bird and the pattern, colour, and arrangement of those feathers. The pattern and colours of plumage vary between species and subspecies and can also vary between different age classes, sexes, and season. Within species there can also be a...
of the female is closer to that of the female Ultramarine Grosbeak
Ultramarine Grosbeak
The Ultramarine Grosbeak is a species of cardinal in the Cardinalidae family. It is found in a wide range of semi-open habitats in eastern and central South America, with a disjunct population in northern South America. The male closely resembles the Blue-black Grosbeak, while the females are...
than that of the female Black-and-white Tanager, but a longer, more detailed description is currently being prepared for publication.