Scarlet tanager
Piranga olivacea
Identification Tips:
- 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.