Northern Cardinal or Summer Tanager?
Here's how to tell the difference
Northern Cardinal
Summer Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
Also known as: Redbird, Common Cardinal, Red Cardinal, Cardinal
General appearance
The Northern Cardinal averages 8 to 9 inches (20 to 23 cm) in length, equivalent to a Robin. It has a rounded wing shape and tail that can appear notched, rounded, or square-tipped. The bird's most distinguishing feature is its massive pink bill.
Male vs female
The male Northern Cardinal is our only red bird with a crest and is quite striking in appearance. On the other hand, the female is less vibrant, duller in color, encompassing hues of black, brown, gray, green, and tan, yet shares the crest and the distinctively large pink bill.
Juvenile
Juveniles of this species initially have a black bill, differentiating them from the adults. As they mature, their bill turns from black to the characteristic pink, and they inherit the crest from their parents, although their coloration may range from tan to red, depending on their sex.
Size
8.3 - 9.3 in/1.5 - 1.7 oz
There's more to learn about Northern Cardinal
View full detailsSummer Tanager
Piranga rubra
General appearance
The summer tanager is around 7-8 inches or 18-20 centimeters, similar to a robin or sparrow. Its body is colorful with black, green, red, and yellow hues. Its wings are rounded, and the tail showcases notched, rounded, or square-tipped characteristics. Furthermore, the summer tanager is notable for its large light-colored bill and non-patterned wings.
Male vs female
A prominent distinction exists between male and female summer tanagers. Adult males possess an exquisite rosy red color that remains consistent throughout the year, while females have a rich yellow coloration, which is less greenish compared to the female Scarlet tanager. The other distinctive trait of females is the paler and proportionately bigger bill.
Juvenile
Young males, or juvenile summer tanagers, exhibit a slightly different appearance than adults. They may appear patchy yellow and red rather than a uniform rosy red. These color variations can serve as a visual cue to differentiate between adults and juveniles in the wild.
Size
6.3 - 7.1 in/1.0 - 1.1 oz
There's more to learn about Summer Tanager
View full detailsHow to tell the Northern Cardinal from the Summer Tanager
Visual differences
The Northern Cardinal is larger than the Summer Tanager, measuring 8-9 inches versus 7-8 inches. Male Cardinals are vibrant red with a distinctive crest and a massive pink bill, while females are duller and share the crest. Male Summer Tanagers are a uniform rosy red year-round without a crest and have a large, light-colored bill, while females are yellow. Both birds have rounded wings and notched tails, but the Cardinal has a more massive overall appearance compared to the slender Tanager. Juveniles of both species exhibit patchy color differences.
Key differences and behavior
The Northern Cardinal and Summer Tanager exhibit distinct behavioral and ecological differences. Northern Cardinals thrive in brushy and semi-open habitats, engaging in elaborate courtship with males singing and feeding females, and nest at lower elevations, typically in dense shrubs. They have a diverse diet, frequenting bird feeders for seeds. In contrast, Summer Tanagers favor dry open woodlands for breeding and migrate to tropical regions. They focus on insectivory, notably preying on bees and wasps mid-flight. Their courtship involves males displaying bright plumage and performing flight displays. Unlike Cardinals, they nest higher in trees. While both species feed on insects and berries, Cardinals rely more on seeds and feeders, while Tanagers primarily hunt insects.
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