Blue-grey Tanager (thraupis episcopus)

Easily one of the more common birds at the feeder, the 'blue jean' is easy to spot by its distinctive blue color alone. It feeds on fruit, and tends to feed in pairs or groups alongside the palm tanagers (thraupis palmarum).

There has been some literature which suggests that the palm tanager and the blue-grey tanager may be color morphs of the same bird. While it is possible, the differences in their behaviors would indicate that this is not true - blue-grey tanagers are much more shy and nervous than the ever present palm tanagers, yet when it comes to the feeder they are more aggressive than the palm tanagers - notably putting their backs to each other and chasing off the palm tanagers.

When a Great Kiskedee or Tropical Mockingbird is at the feeder, they will work with the other tanagers and continuously pester the larger birds with their presence until they have displaced the larger birds from the feeder. The more aggressive Kiskedee and Mockingbird reach their frustration limits within a few moments, chasing after the last tanager that disturbed them while the other tanagers feed. The longer the chase, the longer the others get to feed. It is amusing to watch and one has to wonder whether, as a group, the tanagers are conscious of their actions - or if instead it is simply the culmination of their own individual behaviors.

Wikipedia reference: Blue-gray Tanager
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