Vermillion Flycatcher vs Scarlet Tanager

Vermillion Flycatcher

Pyrocephalus obscurus

How to recognise a vermillion flycatcher?

General Appearance

The Vermillion Flycatcher is a small striking bird easily recognized by its vivid coloration and compact size. The adult males display a dazzling bright red body with contrasting black wings and tail, which makes them stand out in open habitats. The head is vibrant red as well and is set off by a dark-colored bill. Their tail and wings possess a distinctive black shade, creating a charming contrast that enhances their red plumage, making them highly visible in their natural environment.

Male vs Female

Males have more striking coloration compared to females. While males boast a bright red plumage that stands out, females are more subdued in appearance. Female Vermillion Flycatchers exhibit a grayish-brown color on the dorsal side with paler or creamy underparts. This muted coloration acts as camouflage, beneficial for nest protection. Females have a softer, less conspicuous tint, with hints of salmon orange on their belly, significantly different from the males' vivid red.

Juvenile

Juveniles differ from adults in both sex as they lack the bright red plumage seen in mature males. Young birds typically display a brownish appearance similar to females but with even softer tones. They have a streaked or spotted pattern which gradually fades as they mature, developing the more distinct adult coloring after a series of molts. The subdued tones serve as excellent concealment, helping them remain undetectable to predators.

Size

5.1 - 5.5 in/0.4 - 0.5 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The Vermillion Flycatcher inhabits open and semi-open areas in arid regions across southwestern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central and South America. They thrive in deserts, scrublands, and open woodlands. These birds prefer regions with sparse tree coverage or thorny bushes which they use for perching and nesting.

Additional range

While Vermillion Flycatchers are typically associated with arid climates, they can occasionally be found in more temperate zones, such as city parks or agricultural areas. Adaptability allows them to explore these environments, especially during migration or when dispersing out of their primary range.

Range Map

What do vermillion flycatchers like to eat?

Natural Diet

The Vermillion Flycatcher primarily feeds on insects, which it catches in flight with its agile aerial maneuvers. Common prey includes flies, grasshoppers, beetles, and mosquitoes. They exhibit a sit-and-wait hunting strategy, perching on exposed branches to survey their surroundings. During certain times of the year, particularly in the breeding season or in areas with abundance, they may also supplement their diet with small fruits and seeds. This opportunistic feeding behavior allows them to adapt to seasonal variations in insect availability.

Bird Feeders

While the Vermillion Flycatcher is not a frequent visitor to bird feeders, it may occasionally be attracted by suet cakes, especially those that include insect bits mixed in. Offering mealworms may also entice these birds, reflecting their natural insect-heavy diet. Fruits such as chopped apples or berries potentially draw them in as additional food sources, although not as consistently as insect-based foods. It is essential to note that this species typically prefers natural hunting over relying on feeders, focusing more on areas abundant with insect life.

What does a vermillion flycatcher sound like?

The Vermillion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus obscurus) is known for its distinctive vocalizations. It typically produces a series of high-pitched, rapid "peet" or "pip" notes, often repeated in quick succession. The song of the male is a lively, rhythmic sequence of whistled phrases, sometimes described as a repeated "pit-a-see" or "pi-tik-tik-tik." These vocalizations are used for communication between mates and to establish territory. The calls and songs of the Vermillion Flycatcher are integral to its behaviors, especially during the breeding season.

Song

Audio by Niels Krabbe

/ CC BY-SA 4.0

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Scarlet Tanager

Piranga olivacea

How to recognise a scarlet tanager?

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

Habitat

Primary habitat

The scarlet tanager primarily inhabits deciduous forests rich in oaks, but they can also thrive in forests with maple, beech, and other trees. Pine-oak woods and coniferous woods dominated by pine or hemlock are occasionally occupied.

Additional range

During the winter, the scarlet tanager moves to tropical rain forests in the lowlands just east of the Andes.

Range Map

What do scarlet tanagers like to eat?

Natural diet

The scarlet tanager primarily feeds on insects during the breeding season, including beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers, and ants. It also consumes fruits and berries, such as mulberries and blackberries, especially in the late summer and fall.

Bird feeders

While scarlet tanagers do not frequently visit bird feeders, they may occasionally eat suet or mealworms provided in backyards. During migration or when natural food sources are scarce, they might be attracted to feeders offering fruit or jelly.

What does a scarlet tanager sound like?

The Scarlet Tanager's vocalizations are characterized by a hurried, repetitive warble, slightly resembling a Robin's. It has a specific call note that is emphatic and nasal, referred to as "chip-bang." The call patterns alter between falling and rising. The calls are typically described as a buzz, chirp/chip, or whistle.

Call

Audio by Paul Marvin

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Call

Audio by Paul Marvin

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Call

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 4.0

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Vermillion Flycatcher

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Scarlet Tanager

Vermillion Flycatcher

Pyrocephalus obscurus

General Appearance

The Vermillion Flycatcher is a small striking bird easily recognized by its vivid coloration and compact size. The adult males display a dazzling bright red body with contrasting black wings and tail, which makes them stand out in open habitats. The head is vibrant red as well and is set off by a dark-colored bill. Their tail and wings possess a distinctive black shade, creating a charming contrast that enhances their red plumage, making them highly visible in their natural environment.

Male vs Female

Males have more striking coloration compared to females. While males boast a bright red plumage that stands out, females are more subdued in appearance. Female Vermillion Flycatchers exhibit a grayish-brown color on the dorsal side with paler or creamy underparts. This muted coloration acts as camouflage, beneficial for nest protection. Females have a softer, less conspicuous tint, with hints of salmon orange on their belly, significantly different from the males' vivid red.

Juvenile

Juveniles differ from adults in both sex as they lack the bright red plumage seen in mature males. Young birds typically display a brownish appearance similar to females but with even softer tones. They have a streaked or spotted pattern which gradually fades as they mature, developing the more distinct adult coloring after a series of molts. The subdued tones serve as excellent concealment, helping them remain undetectable to predators.

Size

5.1 - 5.5 in/0.4 - 0.5 oz

There's more to learn about Vermillion Flycatcher

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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

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How to tell the Vermillion Flycatcher from the Scarlet Tanager

Visual differences

The Vermillion Flycatcher is smaller, weighing 0.39-0.49 oz (11-14 g) and measuring 5.1-5.5 inches (13-14 cm), with males having bright red plumage. The Scarlet Tanager is larger, weighing 0.81-1.16 oz (23-33 g) and measuring 7.5 inches (19 cm), and features a striking red body with black wings, a thicker beak, and round or notched tail. Vermillion males have an entirely red appearance, while Scarlet Tanagers contrast in spring with red and black, and females are yellow-green year-round.

Key differences and behavior

The Vermillion Flycatcher (11-14g, 5-5.5") and Scarlet Tanager (23-33g, 7.5") differ behaviorally and ecologically. Flycatchers inhabit arid, open areas such as deserts and scrublands, whereas Tanagers prefer deciduous forests and migrate to tropical rain forests in winter. Vermillion Flycatchers are known for their aerial courtship displays and are sometimes brood parasites within their species. In contrast, Tanagers showcase striking plumage for mate attraction but switch partners each year. Both species feed primarily on insects but Flycatchers employ a sit-and-wait strategy, while Tanagers forage in tree canopies. Tanager nests are higher, at 20-30 feet, compared to the lower shrubby settings of Flycatcher nests. These distinctions make each species well-adapted to their respective environments.