The Golden Tanager is a striking bird species known for its predominantly golden-yellow plumage, with black on the back, wings, tail, and ear-coverts. Some subspecies show variations, such as partially or largely brown areas below. There are nine recognized subspecies of the Golden Tanager, which differ in appearance and distribution. Golden Tanagers are found in the highland forests of the Andes and the Venezuelan Coastal Range in north-western South America, specifically in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. They inhabit humid montane evergreen forests, forest edges, and nearby secondary growth at elevations ranging from approximately 2,300 to 8,200 feet.
Behaviorally, this species is active and often seen in small groups or traveling with mixed-species flocks. They roost in pairs or small family groups. Golden Tanagers are omnivores, feeding primarily on fruits and insects, with a preference for arthropods. Their bright colors make them easily visible while hopping on branches in search of prey.
Most tanagers, including the Golden Tanager, are monogamous. Males attract mates by offering food and displaying their colors and patterns. Their open cup-like nests are made of leaves and plant fibers, and both parents contribute to building them. Typically, two white or grayish-white eggs are laid, incubated by the female for about 15 days. After hatching, nestlings are fed by both parents and possibly other family members. Fledging occurs after 14-16 days, and they may raise two or three broods per season. The Golden Tanager is listed as a species of "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, the population is decreasing and is threatened by habitat destruction.