Mitrospingus cassinii (Lawrence, 1861)

Subspecies Differentiation

Mitrospingus cassinii has two subspecies that are very poorly differentiated from one another.

Adult Size and Weight

Adult individuals of the species are 18 to 18.5 cm (7.1 to 7.3 in) long and weigh 32 to 39 g (1.1 to 1.4 oz).

Adult Head Coloration

Their crown and nape are mustard yellow, and the face bears a large black "mask".

Adult Upperpart Coloration

The species' upperparts are lead gray.

Adult Underpart Coloration

The throat is light gray, which transitions to olive yellow on the breast and flanks, and further transitions to a gray-olive-yellow blend on the belly.

Juvenile Plumage

Juvenile Mitrospingus cassinii are similar to adults, but have less yellow on the crown and a buffy tinge to the underparts.

M. c. costaricensis Range

The subspecies M. c. costaricensis (dusky-faced tanager) is found along the Caribbean coast, ranging from Heredia Province in Costa Rica south to extreme northwestern Panama.

Nominate Subspecies Range

The nominate subspecies is found on both slopes of western Panama, extending south through western Colombia to Guayas Province in Ecuador; it also occurs on the east slope of Colombia's Central Andes.

Habitat Types

Dusky-faced tanagers inhabit low dense shrubbery, thickets, and second growth.

Additional Habitat Locations

They can also be found along forest edges, within forest gaps, alongside forest streams, and in swampy areas.

Costa Rica Elevation Range

In Costa Rica, the species generally occurs up to 300 m (980 ft) in elevation, but can be found as high as 600 m (2,000 ft).

Panama Elevation Limit

Its upper elevation limit is 1,200 m (3,900 ft) in Panama.

Colombia Elevation Range

In Colombia, it occurs mostly below 800 m (2,600 ft), though it has been recorded up to 1,100 m (3,600 ft).

Ecuador Elevation Limit

In Ecuador, it can be found as high as 800 m (2,600 ft).