Display Patterns of Tropical American "Nine-Primaried" Songbirds II. Some Species of Ramphocelus

Abstract

Crimson-backed Tanagers are common in many areas of second-growth forest and scrub in central and eastern Panama. Some aspects of their behavior in some of these areas, including their general social and nesting habits, have been described in previous publications (e.g., Skutch, 1954, and Moynihan, 1962a). The following account of their display patterns is based upon observations of both wild and captive birds. Many individuals were observed in the wild, under more or less natural conditions, in the Canal Zone and adjacent parts of the Republic of Panama between January 1958, and January 1961. A few individuals were kept in captivity in large aviaries planted with natural vegetation on Barro Colorado Island during part of the same period. These captive birds had been trapped in various areas near Panama City. According to Hellmayr (1936), all of these birds are doubtless assignable to the subspecies isthmicus. The observed display patterns of Crimson-backed Tanagers include locomotory, gregarious, hostile, and sexual reactions of adult and juvenile birds, and a few vocal patterns of nestlings. Adult male and female Crimson-backed Tanagers are easily distinguished by differences in plumage and bill color. Juvenile birds of both sexes are similar to adult females, but can often be recognized by their duller plumage and other indications of immaturity (e.g., shorter wings and tail, and a trace of yellow at the gape).