“Look up! Like you’re staring at the star on top of a Christmas tree!” It was an apt analogy by my guide and host to point me to this Flame-colored Tanager that was quietly sitting atop a tree along a road. Just like they’re supposed to. They’re also supposed to be prolific songbirds but I didn’t note hearing any song or calls.

This vivid flame orange one is a male; females are a thick bright yellow.

Another sighting and snaps from an early morning walk from the Toucanet Lodge near Copey de Dota, Costa Rica in July 2013. They’re a bit on the blurry side – I’ll replace these as soon as I cross paths with one again.

More:

• Flame-colored Tanager at Birds of the World
• Flame-colored Tanager at BirdLife DataZone
• Flame-colored Tanager at eBird
• Flame-colored Tanager at Avibase
• Flame-colored Tanager at Wikipedia

Photo from 19 July, 2013. Originally published on my blog, Piran Café, which is no longer being updated and moved here on 13 August 2018. Post last updated on 4 Aug 2025.