Swallow Tanager

Seasonal Bird: Swallow Tanager (but also new on my birdlist)

In general tanagers are common birds in both Suriname and South-America. Usually you can see the regular 'guys' like the Silver-beaked Tanager, Palm Tanager or the Blue-Gray Tanager, but from time to time you will meet also some remarkable tanagers. 
A while ago I met such in Mindo, Ecuador; the Blue-winged Mountain Tanager. And now also one in our own country, Suriname; the Swallow Tanager.

Like I said before, the Swallow Tanager is a seasonal bird. One that you might meet in the period June - February. When looking at the photo's you will notice that the male has quite a bright color. At first glance you might think that it is the Spangled Cotinga, but the Swallow Tanager is much smaller. 

What makes this Swallow Tanager also unique for us, is that this couple is seldom seen out in the open in the Guiana's (British-Guyana, Suriname & French-Guyana). It is a canopy bird, one that likes to sit in the highest trees or near the river. 

When we spotted this male Swallow Tanager we noticed that he was with his partner too. The female also has this bright green color. As if they both like to be visible. 

I guess the Swallow Tanager got its name due to its swift or swallow like flight. Just like its tanager cousins, the Swallow Tanager also likes fruits, berries and insects.
They nest in burrows in River or Dirt banks, which I haven't seen yet.

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