Scarlet Tanager
Least ConcernPiranga olivacea
Visual Identification
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.
Size
Length
16cm to 19cm
Wingspan
25cm to 30cm
Weight
23g to 38g
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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.
Elevation Range
Up to 2,000 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Tropical
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Scarlet Tanager. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!
Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Quite agile, demonstrated by their ability to hop and manoeuvre effectively through dense forest canopy whilst foraging. Their aerial chase capabilities during territorial disputes further showcase their nimbleness amongst the treetops.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Moderate strength for their size. Whilst capable of long-distance migration between North and South America, they possess typical strength for a small songbird, sufficient for handling insects and maintaining their canopy lifestyle.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Highly adaptable, evidenced by their ability to thrive in various forest environments from temperate to tropical zones, successful long-distance migration patterns, and capacity to shift diet between insects and fruits as seasons change.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Moderately aggressive during breeding season, with males engaging in territorial aerial chases. However, they're not notably aggressive outside breeding season and show typical defensive behaviours rather than excessive aggression.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Excellent endurance, particularly demonstrated by their impressive long-distance migration between North and South America. Their ability to maintain active foraging in the canopy and sustain breeding territories also indicates strong endurance capabilities.
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.
Vocalisation
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.
Lifespan
The Scarlet Tanager typically lives for 5 to 10 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 11.9 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
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
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Family:
CardinalidaePredators
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.
Was this bird profile helpful?
Your feedback helps us improve our content
Thanks for your feedback!
Your input helps us improve our content.
Community Experience
Community Ratings
No ratings yet - be the first to rate this bird!
Latest Community Reviews
No reviews yet
Sign in to be the first to review
Community Reviews
Create Your Free Account Welcome Back!
Join our community to rate birds and share your experiences. Creating an account is completely free and only takes a minute. Sign in to your account to rate birds and share your experiences with our community.
Your information is secure and will never be shared.
By creating an account, you agree to our Privacy Policy.
References
- 2
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Piranga olivacea. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22722466A94767758.
View source - 4
report, 2007: Data from Breeding Bird Survey and/or Christmas Bird Count: Butcher and Niven
- 3
website, 2020: Partners in Flight
View source - 1
website: Historical Longevity Records of North American Birds
View source