What were the primary morphological and behavioral characteristics used historically to group the Western Tanager with South American true tanagers?

Answer

Bright colors, general shape, and feeding style

Historically, taxonomic classification relied heavily on observable external characteristics, known as visual morphology. The Western Tanager was initially placed within the family Thraupidae, which comprises the true tanagers of Central and South America, because of striking superficial similarities. These similarities included the birds' bright color palettes, their general body architecture (shape), and commonalities in their feeding strategies, specifically consuming fruit and insects. This historical lumping illustrates an era before genetic analysis, where shared ecological roles or appearances suggested evolutionary closeness that modern science has shown to be the result of independent adaptation rather than shared ancestry.

What were the primary morphological and behavioral characteristics used historically to group the Western Tanager with South American true tanagers?

Related Questions

To which family does DNA evidence definitively place the genus Piranga, including the Western Tanager?Which relative species within the Piranga genus is noted for being largely non-migratory, remaining in the southwestern US and Mexico year-round?What specific combination describes the male Western Tanager's striking fresh spring plumage?What geological feature or environmental boundary reinforces the Western Tanager's distinct western lineage, as it is generally absent as a consistent breeder east of this demarcation?After which developmental event does the Western Tanager acquire its distinct, bright adult male plumage?What were the primary morphological and behavioral characteristics used historically to group the Western Tanager with South American true tanagers?How is the female Western Tanager generally described in terms of coloration when contrasted with the male's vibrant display?To which lower-elevation regions does the entire population of Western Tanagers migrate to escape harsh northern winters?What primary evolutionary function is served by the female Western Tanager's less conspicuous, drab camouflage coloration?What specific type of forest habitat, often found at high elevations, does the Western Tanager utilize for breeding across the western mountains?
speciesbirdanimalevolutiontanager