within a dense bush. Anxious to remain hidden, the had chosen a site im­ possible to see except upon very close inspection. Many nesting materials were by Martin Vince provided, but by far the most popular Wichita, Kansas were strands of moss. These were inter­ woven with grasses and some short Even to the most unenthusiastic avi­ enced hand since tanagers are lengths of wool. Very disappointingly, culturist, the name usually con­ generally less hardy than spe­ only half way through its construction jures up an image of beauty and excite­ cies. Even so, acclimated birds will live the nest building was stopped. But even ment; a name enveloping a range of New outside during the warmer months, al­ an aborted nesting attempt for this spe­ World birds so complex that some have though will require heated winter ac­ cies is rare and worth reporting. only recently joined the sub-family. commodation. Tangaras will live in The Orange-cheeked Tanager is highly Peters describes the sub-family mixed company with other birds of a insectivorous, caring little for the fruits Thraupinae as possessing 242 . similar size, only occasionally display­ that are a staple for many tanagers. Un­ Within that number there are many spe­ ing aggression and usually only in the doubtedly it is this insectivorous nature cies familiar in themselves but perhaps breeding season. However, unlike some that makes it more difficult to keep. But not so often thought ofas tanagers, e.g., of the more robust tanagers, those with a good quality insectivorous diet, , , , Tangara displays of aggression I have incorporating plenty of live food, such , , the seen have been short lived and confined birds can be maintained successfully. Its and the . And to the defense of a nest. relatively large bill is certainly less dis­ some taxonomists also include 10 addi­ So far, I have mentioned a few species cerning than that of a nuthatch or tit for tional conebills usually placed with that are fairly easy to maintain. A couple example. Although fruits are not rel­ Parulidae (the New World warblers) as more steps up the husbandry ladder and ished, it is a good idea to include a small well as the , often to be one might find the Orange-eared Tana­ measure - about 20% of the total diet ­ found in the monotypic sub-family ger, Chlorochrysacalliparaea; drabgreen since in the wild an occa~ional berry or Tersininae. but rare and more demanding than those mouthful of fruit will be eaten. To pre­ So diverse is this spectrum ofbirds that already described. Perhaps writing about vent the birds picking out their favorite there is literally something there for ev­ it is only of academic interest since few foods, fruits, and all should be eryone; a morphological range that of­ are kept in captivity. Nevertheless, it is mixed together and offered in a single fers insectivores, frugivores and worth recording a few points should the dish, thereby encouraging the birds to nectivores. Traditionally, the more com­ reader be fortunate enough to obtain consume a balanced diet. monly available species have been those any specimens. Tanagers have been a feature ofavicul­ of the genera Tangara and Thraupis. Perhaps the most surprising aspect of tureforover 100years butstill Thraupinae Such birds are easy to cater for and its husbandry is the species' need for clings to many secrets and perhaps even sometimes stunningly beautiful. For higher temperatures than one would undiscovered species. It is for us all to these basic reasons they have always been expect. For reasons that are not obvious, unravel those secrets so that we might a favorite with aviculturists. it is quite delicate. Protectionfrom damp­ better understand the rich natural world One of the commonest species, the ness and drafts is especially important we live in. ,.. Blue-gray Tanager, Thraupis episcopus, and to be on the safe side temperatures is arguably the epitome oftanager hardi­ in excess of20°C (68 OF) should be aimed ness. Its keenness to eat a varied diet for. As with tanagers in general, a well­ The ttrlgbtRoost ., makes it easy to cater for and once accli­ planted aviary will offer the best chances Jeri Wright (206)'S38-9802 mated it is strong, being able to live in of breeding, as well as plenty of hiding NOW HAND-FEEDING places - something this species appears Hyacinths & othermacaws, Cockatoos temperate climates without heat. Its ex­ Conures & Amazons uberance makes it enjoyable to observe, to particularly need. It is certainly more Domestic, Close-Banded Reudybush Distributor although, sometimes the line between shy than most tanagers, and, although I joie de vivre and aggression can become have never tried, it would probably not blurred. Ifso motivated a Blue-gray Tan­ thrive if housed with larger species or ager can comfortably harass a twice even more boisterous birds ofequal size. Your Exclusive Bird Book ~ ~ its size, as can the equally strong Silver­ The one pair of Orange-cheeked Tan­ Headquarters!!! < beakedTanager,Ramphoceluscarbo and agers I have kept were housed in an We can offer you an excellent selection "< Magpie Tanager, Cissopis leveriana. aviary so densely planted that they were of over 150 specialized & Imported titles. Many titles not fOWld in Pet or Moving towards the more gentle end almost invisible. But that was all to the Book stores. Send $1.00 for catalog of the spectrum, species such as the good since breeding was hoped for. Po­ (refundable on 1st order) Paradise and Blue-necked tanagers, sitioned around the aviary were nesting SPENCER PUBLICATIONS Tangarachilensisand Tangara cyanicollis, receptacles of every conceivable design. 20 E. Somo Ave. Dept WB Tomahawk, WI 54487 are strikingly more beautiful than the As it happened, the birds did not nest in (715) 453-1017 I~ aforementioned. But these scintillating any ofthese but instead started building ."A, .. ,._<.>.L" •• beauties require a slightly more experi- a nest only 1Y2 m. (5 ft) from the ground

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