Summer Tanager
NameSummer Tanager
Common NameSummer Tanager
Scientific NamePiranga rubra
FamilyCardinalidae
Wingspan (cm)29
Length (cm)18
Weight (g)30.5
Plumage DetailsAdult males are entirely brilliant rose-red with a pale, stout bill. Females are dull yellow-orange overall, also with a pale bill, and may have a reddish wash on the underparts.
Vocalization / CallTheir song is a series of clear, whistled notes, often described as similar to an American Robin's song but more deliberate. The call is a distinctive, sharp 'pit-tuck' or 'chick-tuck'.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsforest, urban
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds across the eastern and southwestern United States. Winters from Mexico south through Central America to northern South America.
Identifying FeaturesAll-red plumage (male), Pale, stout bill, Large head, Yellow-orange plumage (female), Insect-catching behavior
Description
The Summer Tanager is a medium-sized songbird known for the male's striking all-red plumage and pale bill. They are primarily insectivorous, often catching bees and wasps in flight, and inhabit open woodlands and forests.
