scarlet tanager (Piranga olivacea)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 6.25 inches

• Pointed, but fairly stout bill

• Inhabits treetops

Adult male alternate:

• Brilliant scarlet red plumage

• Shiny black wings and tail

• Plumage held in spring and summer

Adult female:

• Yellow underparts

• Olive back

• Gray wings and tail with greenish feather edges

• Basic and immature plumages similar to female but males often have     blacker wings and tails

Similar species:

The male scarlet tanager is striking and easily identified. Male hepatic
and summer tanagers are entirely red. Female plumages can be told
from similar female summer tanager by plain yellow, not orange-yellow,
underparts. Female western tanager has wing bars. Female hepatic
tanager has more orange underparts and a darker cheek.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Neotropical migrant
Breeding Habitat: Woodland
Nest Location: Mid-story/canopy nesting
Nest Type: Open-cup
Clutch Size: 3-5
Length of Incubation: 13-14 days
Days to Fledge: 9-11
Number of Broods: 1
Diet: Primarily insects; lesser quantities of fruit

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May C
      Su - Summer: June, July, August C
      Fall: September, October, November U

      Winter: December, January, February

 

 

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