Scarlet Tanager or Summer Tanager?
Here's how to tell the difference
Scarlet Tanager
Summer Tanager
Scarlet Tanager
Piranga olivacea
General appearance
The scarlet tanager is roughly the size of a robin or sparrow, measuring in at 7 1/2" (19 cm). The bird's wings are rounded and the tail shape can be either notched, rounded, or square-tipped. The most common colours for the bird include black, green, red, and yellow.
Male vs female
In spring and summer, the male scarlet tanager is the only bird boasting a brilliant red body with contrasting black wings and tail. In winter, the male's plumage becomes a greenish hue, with black wings. On the other hand, female are a dull yellow-green colour, with darker wings. A thick bill and sluggish behaviour are also notable characteristics of the female tanager.
Juvenile
Juvenile tanagers have similar colouration to adults, but it is less vivid and their shape and size is smaller. They may also exhibit more greenish hues, similar to the adult's winter plumage. As they mature, their coloration deepens, especially in males.
Size
6.3 - 6.7 in/0.8 - 1.2 oz
There's more to learn about Scarlet Tanager
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 Scarlet Tanager from the Summer Tanager
Visual differences
The Scarlet Tanager is recognized by the male's summer plumage of bright red with contrasting black wings, whereas the Summer Tanager male is uniformly rosy red year-round. Both are robin-sized (7-8 inches), though the Summer Tanager often appears plumper. Summer Tanagers have a larger, pale bill, and females are yellow (less green than Scarlet Tanagers), with no wing patterns. Scarlet Tanagers have black wings and tails in males, and females are yellow-green, with darker wings. Juvenile Scarlet Tanagers are dull, while young Summer Tanagers show mixed red and yellow.
Key differences and behavior
Scarlet Tanagers (Piranga olivacea) and Summer Tanagers (Piranga rubra) exhibit distinct behaviors that aid in differentiation. Scarlet Tanagers prefer deciduous forests and are often elusive, occupying high canopy levels, while Summer Tanagers favor open woods and are more visible, engaging in active flight displays. Both species are insectivorous during breeding but Scarlet Tanagers focus on beetles and caterpillars, whereas Summer Tanagers specialize in catching bees and wasps mid-air, using unique branch-beating behavior. Breeding involves the male's song in both, but Scarlet Tanagers are only monogamous for a season, unlike consistent partners of the Summer Tanager. In winter, Scarlet Tanagers migrate to tropical lowlands, while Summer Tanagers can be found up to mid-elevations. Neither bird frequents feeders but may be attracted to fruit or jelly.
Still not sure? Here are more lookalikes!
Scarlet Tanager vs Northern Cardinal
Summer Tanager vs Northern Cardinal
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Summer Tanager vs [Select a bird]
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