A flame-red bird with jet-black wings — males look almost unreal against summer green leaves. They migrate across the Gulf of Mexico twice a year, often in mixed-species flocks.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The scarlet tanager is a medium-sized American songbird. Until recently, it was placed in the tanager family (Thraupidae), but it and other members of its genus are now classified as belonging to the cardinal family (Cardinalidae). The species' plumage and vocalizations are similar to other members of the cardinal family, although the Piranga species lacks the thick conical bill that many cardinals possess. The species resides in thick deciduous woodlands and suburbs.
Source: Wikipedia — Scarlet tanager Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Males: scarlet body with black wings. Females: yellow-green.
Similar species. Summer Tanager (all red). Western Tanager (red head).
Voice. Robin-like burry whistled song.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Insects (caterpillars, beetles), fruits.
Behavior. Sings high in canopy.
§ Range
Eastern US and Canada in summer; northern South America in winter
§ Habitat
Mature deciduous forests with continuous canopy
§ Threats
Forest fragmentation reducing breeding habitat, climate-driven prey timing mismatches, building collisions on migration.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the scarlet tanager is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Support large-scale forest conservation. Reduce light pollution during spring and fall migration. Drink shade-grown coffee for winter habitat.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Scarlet tanager
- www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Piranga olivacea
- IUCN Red List · taxon 22722463
- iNaturalist · taxon 14883
- eBird · scatan
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Piranga olivacea
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab — All About Birds
- National Audubon Society
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List 2018
