Species Profile
Scarlet Tanager
Piranga olivacea
Quick Facts
Conservation
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Appearance
The Scarlet Tanager is a striking medium-sized bird. Adult males in breeding season display brilliant scarlet-red bodies contrasted by black wings and tail. Their bill is whitish or pale.
Females are olive-green above with yellowish-olive underparts, and have duller brownish-olive wings and tail. They show a subtle yellow "spectacled" appearance around their eyes.
During fall and winter (non-breeding season), adult males molt to an olive-green plumage similar to females but retain their black wings and tail.
Identification & Characteristics
Male Colors
- Primary
- Red
- Secondary
- Olive
- Beak
- Pale Grey
- Legs
- Blue-grey
Female Colors
- Primary
- Olive
- Secondary
- Green
- Beak
- Pale Grey
- Legs
- Blue-grey
Female Markings
Overall olive-green upperparts with yellowish underparts
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Scarlet Tanagers inhabit mature deciduous and mixed forests across eastern North America. They prefer large, unbroken tracts of woodland with tall trees and a closed canopy.
During breeding season, they're found from southeastern Canada to the northeastern United States. In winter, they migrate to northwestern South America, inhabiting tropical forests in countries like Colombia and Ecuador.
Distribution
Diet
Scarlet Tanagers primarily feed on insects, including caterpillars, beetles, wasps, and flies. They glean these from leaves and branches in the forest canopy.
During migration and in winter, they supplement their diet with fruits and berries, particularly when insect availability is low.
Behaviour
Scarlet Tanagers are often heard before they're seen, as they tend to forage high in the forest canopy. They hop along branches, searching for insects.
During the breeding season, males become territorial and engage in aerial chases to defend their areas.
Calls & Sounds
The Scarlet Tanager's song is a series of burry warbles, often described as sounding like a robin with a sore throat. Their distinctive call is a sharp 'chip-burr' or 'chick-bree'.
During territorial disputes, males may produce a softer 'tuk-tuk-tuk' sound.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding occurs from late spring to early summer. Males arrive at breeding grounds first, establishing territories and attracting females with their bright plumage and songs.
Females construct shallow, saucer-shaped nests on horizontal tree branches, usually 20-30 feet high. The nest is made of twigs, grass, and bark, lined with fine rootlets. They typically lay 3-5 pale blue-green eggs with brown speckles.
Incubation lasts about 13-14 days, primarily done by the female. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after 9-11 days but remain dependent on the adults for several more weeks.
Conservation
While currently listed as Least Concern, Scarlet Tanagers face threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and forest fragmentation. Climate change may also impact their breeding habitats and migration patterns.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting large tracts of mature deciduous forests.
Birdwatching Tips
- Listen for their distinctive 'chick-burr' call to locate them in dense foliage
- Look for flashes of red high in deciduous forest canopies
- Visit eastern US forests during spring migration for the best viewing opportunities
- Observe fruit-bearing trees in fall, where they may feed before migration
Did You Know?
- Scarlet Tanagers can see ultraviolet light, which may play a role in mate selection.
- Despite their bright coloration, they can be surprisingly difficult to spot in dense foliage.
- They are one of the latest spring migrants, often arriving on breeding grounds in May.
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