Tangara ruficervix is a bird native to the Andean cloud forests of South America. It is typically found at altitudes between 4,900 and 10,500 feet in humid montane forests and occasionally in secondary forests or forest edges, where it feeds on a diet primarily consisting of fruits and insects. This species is known for its striking appearance, with a blue body, black facial markings, and a distinct golden or orange patch on the nape. These tanagers are relatively small, measuring about 5 inches in length, with males and females exhibiting similar coloration, although the brightness of their plumage can vary.
Golden-naped Tanagers are social birds often seen foraging in small mixed-species flocks.