Trinidad: White-lined Tanager - Tachyphonus rufous

The White-lined Tanager, Tachyphonus rufous, is a common species at the Asa Wright feeders (Trinidad). The all-black looking male actually has white feathers "lining" his wingpits (axilliaries), which I guess is what earned the species the otherwise enigmatic name. The female White-lined, on the other hand, stands out from the crowd with her lush chestnut plumage. She's radiant even in the rain! By the way, we experienced very brief showers during out trip, and in general the birds welcomed it chance to bath. The rainy season usually tapers off in December.

The White-lined Tanager is a common bird, with a range down to Argentina. The pair stays together most of the year, foraging on fruit and insects. The White-lined is one of are nine tanager species in the genus Tachyphonus.