Masked Mountain Tanager

The masked mountain tanager is a large species, measuring 20 cm (7.9 in) long on average and weighing 62–63 g (2.2–2.2 oz). Male have black "masks" on their faces extending from the sides of the head down to the neck. There is a bright yellow band around the mask and on the forehead, separating the mask from the yellowish-olive crown and neck, which grade into the olive-green back. The rump is again bright yellow. The underparts are broadly bright mustard-yellow, brightest near the throat and neck, with olive streaks along the other portions. The wings and tail are blackish, except for the two violet-blue wingbars. The stubby bill is blackish with a gray base to the mandible. The legs are dark gray in color. Both sexes are similar in color, but females tend to be duller. It looks somewhat similar to the hooded mountain tanager, but does not have blue upperparts or red eyes like that bird. The similar black-chested mountain tanager has a black throat and blue crown, unlike the present species.

The masked mountain tanager is endemic to the high Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, where it inhabits mossy forests, moist dwarf forests, grass, bamboo, and mossy scrublands at elevations of 2,900–3,650 m (9,500–12,000 ft).