About Sericossypha albocristata (Lafresnaye, 1843)
The white-capped tanager, with the scientific name Sericossypha albocristata, is a South American bird that belongs to the tanager family Thraupidae. It is the only species classified in the genus Sericossypha. Among all tanager species, it is the heaviest, though not the longest. Adults have an average weight of 114 grams (4 ounces) and an average length of 24 centimeters (9.5 inches). The species has an entirely glossy black plumage, marked by a large white crown and a red throat; the red throat color is brightest in adult males. It can be found in Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Peru, at elevations ranging from 1600 to 3200 meters. It inhabits humid Andean forests, and lives in groups that can reach up to 20 individuals. Flocks of white-capped tanagers maintain tight formations, and typically forage together as they move from tree to tree. Their diet includes fruits, seeds, hymenoptera, and coleoptera.
