Western Tanager vs American Goldfinch

Western Tanager

Piranga ludoviciana

How to recognise a western tanager?

General appearance

The Western Tanager is a medium-sized bird, roughly the size of a Robin or Sparrow, measuring 6-7.5 inches (15-19 cm). Typically, the bird features a notched, rounded, or square-tipped tail. Its wings are pointed in shape and its bill is thicker than that of female orioles, making it strong and distinctive.

Male vs female

There exists a noticeable difference in physical traits between males and females. Male Western Tanagers boast brilliant colors, with a primarily yellow body, a black back and wings, and a unique red face. On the other hand, females are less vibrant. They display a duller yellow body with a grayish tone on their back and wings, but they do show two wing bars just like the males.

Juvenile

Juvenile Western Tanagers, similar to adult females, sport a dull yellow color. Their wings and back take on a gray shade, giving them a more subdued appearance than the brightly colored adult males. As they mature, their colors adjust to match their respective gender distinctions.

Size

6.5 - 7.5 in/0.8 - 1.3 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The western tanager mainly inhabits open conifer or mixed forests. It breeds in high mountains or the North, in forests of spruce, fir, pine, aspen, and occasionally in lower elevation oak woods.

Additional range

During migration, it can be found in various habitats even deserts. It winters typically in tropical pine-oak woods, forest edges, or in California's eucalyptus groves.

Range Map

What do western tanagers like to eat?

Natural diet

The western tanager primarily consumes insects, which include wasps, bees, ants, beetles, grasshoppers, termites, and cicadas. In addition to insects, this bird's diet is supplemented with various berries such as mulberries and elderberries. Occasionally, it also consumes some cultivated fruits found in its habitat.

Bird feeders

Western tanagers may visit bird feeders, particularly those offering fruits and berries similar to those found in their natural diet, such as raisins or other dried fruits.

What does a western tanager sound like?

The Western Tanager's song can be likened to a robin's, marked by short, flute-like phrases relayed with a distinctive pause in-between. However, its voice quality is noticeably hoarser. The call of this bird is recognised as a dry 'pit-r-ick' sound. The call pattern of the Western Tanager is undulating, and they typically tweet using chirp or chip sounds and whistles.

Call

Audio by Francis C, Ortega C, Cruz A

/ CC BY-SA 2.5

There's more to learn about Western Tanager

View full details

American Goldfinch

Spinus tristis

Also known as: Eastern Goldfinch, Wild Canary

How to recognise an American goldfinch?

General appearance

The American Goldfinch is roughly the size of a Sparrow, approximately 4.5-5 inches or 11-13 cm in length. It has a rounded wing shape and a notched tail. The bird's standout colorations are black, brown, gray, white, and particularly, yellow.

Male vs female

In summer, the male American Goldfinch is a vibrant yellow with black wings, tail, and forehead. This bold coloration makes it easy to spot. Conversely, summer female birds are a more subdued yellow-green. In winter, the colors of both males and females may vary from yellowish brown to gray, with notable, bold wing-bars of white or buff on black wings, and white tail spots.

Juvenile

The juveniles don't have the distinguishing yellow coloring of the adults. Their plumage tends to range from a dull brown to a gray color, making them trickier to identify. This less distinct appearance serves as a form of camouflage against potential predators.

Size

4.3 - 5.1 in/0.4 - 0.7 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The American Goldfinch prefers semi-open areas with open weedy ground and sheltering trees and bushes. Typical surroundings include patches of thistles and weeds, second growth areas, streamsides, roadsides, and woodland edges.

Additional range

The Goldfinch can also adapt to orchards, suburban zones for the majority of seasons. In winter, it extends its range to include open fields farther from trees.

Range Map

What do American goldfinches like to eat?

Natural diet

The American goldfinch primarily consumes seeds, with a strong preference for those belonging to the daisy family. It also eats seeds of various weeds and grasses, and small seeds from trees like elm, birch, and alder. Occasionally, it consumes buds, bark of young twigs, and maple sap. In summer, its diet includes a small portion of insects. The young are fed regurgitated matter that mostly contains seeds.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, American goldfinches are commonly attracted to sunflower seeds, especially black oil sunflowers, and nyjer (thistle) seeds. They may also eat millet, hulled sunflower chips, and other small seeds provided at feeders.

What does an American goldfinch sound like?

The American Goldfinch's vocalizations are varied and complex. Its call incorporates a "per-chick-o-ree" sound, alternatively known as "potato-chips," typically delivered mid-flight in sync with its undulating flying pattern. This bird showcases a range of call types including chatter, chirp or chip, a greeting sounding like "Hi," and whistle tunes. Call attributes include a falling and undulating pattern. Its song conjure a natural symphony, truly reflecting its vibrant personality.

Call

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

Song

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

Song

Audio by Kevin Hood

/ CC BY-SA 4.0

There's more to learn about American Goldfinch

View full details

Western Tanager

Tap To compare

American Goldfinch

Western Tanager

Piranga ludoviciana

General appearance

The Western Tanager is a medium-sized bird, roughly the size of a Robin or Sparrow, measuring 6-7.5 inches (15-19 cm). Typically, the bird features a notched, rounded, or square-tipped tail. Its wings are pointed in shape and its bill is thicker than that of female orioles, making it strong and distinctive.

Male vs female

There exists a noticeable difference in physical traits between males and females. Male Western Tanagers boast brilliant colors, with a primarily yellow body, a black back and wings, and a unique red face. On the other hand, females are less vibrant. They display a duller yellow body with a grayish tone on their back and wings, but they do show two wing bars just like the males.

Juvenile

Juvenile Western Tanagers, similar to adult females, sport a dull yellow color. Their wings and back take on a gray shade, giving them a more subdued appearance than the brightly colored adult males. As they mature, their colors adjust to match their respective gender distinctions.

Size

6.5 - 7.5 in/0.8 - 1.3 oz

There's more to learn about Western Tanager

View full details

American Goldfinch

Spinus tristis

Also known as: Eastern Goldfinch, Wild Canary

General appearance

The American Goldfinch is roughly the size of a Sparrow, approximately 4.5-5 inches or 11-13 cm in length. It has a rounded wing shape and a notched tail. The bird's standout colorations are black, brown, gray, white, and particularly, yellow.

Male vs female

In summer, the male American Goldfinch is a vibrant yellow with black wings, tail, and forehead. This bold coloration makes it easy to spot. Conversely, summer female birds are a more subdued yellow-green. In winter, the colors of both males and females may vary from yellowish brown to gray, with notable, bold wing-bars of white or buff on black wings, and white tail spots.

Juvenile

The juveniles don't have the distinguishing yellow coloring of the adults. Their plumage tends to range from a dull brown to a gray color, making them trickier to identify. This less distinct appearance serves as a form of camouflage against potential predators.

Size

4.3 - 5.1 in/0.4 - 0.7 oz

There's more to learn about American Goldfinch

View full details

How to tell the Western Tanager from the American Goldfinch

Visual differences

The Western Tanager, measuring 6-7.5 inches, is larger than the 4.5-5 inch American Goldfinch. Male Western Tanagers have a striking red face with a yellow body and black wings, while male American Goldfinches are bright yellow with black wings and a forehead. The tanager has a thicker bill compared to the goldfinch's slender conical bill. The female tanager displays a dull yellow hue, whereas the female goldfinch exhibits a subdued yellow-green. Both species feature wing bars, but the tanager's overall coloration is more vivid and distinct.

Key differences and behavior

Western Tanagers and American Goldfinches exhibit distinct behavioral differences. Western Tanagers typically inhabit conifer or mixed forests, adapting to different environments during migration, including deserts. In contrast, American Goldfinches favor semi-open areas, adapting to orchards and suburban zones and extending to open fields in winter. Tanagers have an insect-rich diet, whereas Goldfinches are seed-eaters, with a preference for seeds from the daisy family. During breeding, Western Tanagers sing and chase their mates, nesting high in conifers, while American Goldfinches engage in fluttering flights and sing, nesting later in the season in shrubs or trees. Western Tanagers build strong, twig-based nests, whereas Goldfinches use plant fibers and spider webs. Tanagers may visit fruit-based feeders, whereas Goldfinches frequent feeders with small seeds like sunflower and nyjer. These behavioral distinctions help birders identify them beyond their visual traits.