Western Tanager vs Bullock’s Oriole

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

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Bullock’s Oriole

Icterus bullockii

How to recognise a Bullock's oriole?

General appearance

Bullock's Oriole is a medium-sized songbird distinguished by its slender body and sharp, pointed bill. It typically displays vibrant colors with striking contrasts, making it easily recognizable in its natural habitat. Both genders possess a pointed beak, perfect for foraging insects and fruit.

Male vs female

Males are brightly colored with a vibrant orange face and underparts, contrasted by a black cap, throat, and eye-line. They also have a distinctive white patch on the wing. Females are more subdued, showcasing grayish-buff tones with a hint of pale orange on the underparts and lacking the stark black markings seen in males. Their wings are more mottled, featuring less contrast.

Juvenile

Juvenile Bullock's Orioles resemble females but generally exhibit even duller and more muted colors. Young males may begin showing hints of the brighter orange plumage as they mature. Observers can identify juveniles by the mix of adult female-like body coloration and gradually emerging adult male plumage patterns.

Size

6.7 - 7.5 in/1.0 - 1.5 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The Bullock’s Oriole primarily inhabits open woods, riverside groves, and edge forests. It particularly prefers to breed in deciduous trees like cottonwoods in fairly open spaces.

Additional range

The bird readily adapts to some suburban neighborhoods with sufficient trees. It winters predominantly in the tropics, dwelling around forest edges and semi-open regions.

Range Map

What do Bullock’s orioles like to eat?

Natural diet

In the summer, Bullock's o***** feeds primarily on insects, with a preference for caterpillars. Its insect diet also includes beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, wasps, and other bugs, as well as spiders. It supplements its insect consumption with berries and wild fruits and occasionally consumes cultivated fruits.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, Bullock's o***** may be attracted to sugar-water solutions, similar to what is used for hummingbirds. They may also visit feeders offering fruits or berries.

What does a Bullock's oriole sound like?

The Bullock’s oriole has a distinct and varied repertoire of vocalizations. Its calls are often clear and resemble the flute-like whistle of single or double notes, usually in short and highly individual phrases. Alongside this, it also emits a rapid, falling chatter. The types of calls include chatter, chirp/chip, and whistle. They are known for their unique melody and variation, making their song notable.

Call

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

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Western Tanager

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Bullock’s Oriole

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

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Bullock’s Oriole

Icterus bullockii

General appearance

Bullock's Oriole is a medium-sized songbird distinguished by its slender body and sharp, pointed bill. It typically displays vibrant colors with striking contrasts, making it easily recognizable in its natural habitat. Both genders possess a pointed beak, perfect for foraging insects and fruit.

Male vs female

Males are brightly colored with a vibrant orange face and underparts, contrasted by a black cap, throat, and eye-line. They also have a distinctive white patch on the wing. Females are more subdued, showcasing grayish-buff tones with a hint of pale orange on the underparts and lacking the stark black markings seen in males. Their wings are more mottled, featuring less contrast.

Juvenile

Juvenile Bullock's Orioles resemble females but generally exhibit even duller and more muted colors. Young males may begin showing hints of the brighter orange plumage as they mature. Observers can identify juveniles by the mix of adult female-like body coloration and gradually emerging adult male plumage patterns.

Size

6.7 - 7.5 in/1.0 - 1.5 oz

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How to tell the Western Tanager from the Bullock’s Oriole

Visual differences

Western Tanagers are typically 6-7.5 inches long with a thicker bill. Males have a yellow body with a red face and black back, while females have duller yellow and gray tones. Bullock's Orioles measure 6.7-7.5 inches and feature a slender body with a sharp, pointed bill. Males are vibrant with an orange face, black cap, and white wing patch, while females show grayish-buff tones with pale orange. Both species' males are brightly colored, but tanagers have a red face contrasted with Orioles' orange face and black markings.

Key differences and behavior

Western Tanagers and Bullock's Orioles exhibit distinct behavioral and habitat preferences, aiding field identification. Western Tanagers primarily inhabit coniferous or mixed forests, whereas Bullock's Orioles favor open woods and riverside groves, often in deciduous trees. During breeding, Western Tanager males sing to defend territory and court by chasing. In contrast, Bullock's Oriole males sing and display by spreading their tails and quivering their wings. Western Tanagers build shallow nests in conifers, while Bullock's Orioles weave hanging pouches in deciduous trees. Both species feed on insects and fruits but attract to different feeders; Western Tanagers prefer dried fruits, while Bullock's Orioles are drawn to sugar-water. Both migrate to tropical regions, but habitat preferences differ, with Western Tanagers opting for pine-oak woods and Bullock's Orioles choosing forest edges. These behavioral patterns provide clear field differentiation.