Scarlet Tanager
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Rhododendrites" title="User:Rhododendrites">Rhododendrites</a> (CC BY-SA 4.0)
NameScarlet Tanager
Common NameScarlet Tanager
Scientific NamePiranga olivacea
FamilyCardinalidae
Wingspan (cm)27
Length (cm)16.5
Weight (g)31.5
Plumage DetailsAdult breeding males are brilliant scarlet red with contrasting black wings and tail. Females and immature birds, as well as non-breeding males, are olive-yellow on the body with yellowish-green wings and tail, often appearing darker on the flight feathers.
Vocalization / CallTheir song is a series of short, burry phrases, often compared to an American Robin's song but with a hoarser quality. The most common call is a distinctive 'chip-churr' or 'chick-burr'.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsdeciduous forest, mixed forest, parks, suburban woodlands
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds across eastern North America, from southern Canada south to the southeastern United States. Winters in northwestern South America, primarily in the Andes foothills from Colombia to Bolivia.
Identifying FeaturesMale's brilliant scarlet body with black wings and tail (breeding plumage), Female's olive-yellow body with darker wings and tail, Thick, conical bill, Distinctive 'chip-churr' call, Prefers mature forest canopy
Description
The Scarlet Tanager is a medium-sized songbird known for the male's striking scarlet and black plumage during breeding season. Females and non-breeding males are olive-yellow with darker wings. They are typically found foraging for insects and fruits high in the forest canopy.
