Scarlet Tanager vs Western Tanager

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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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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Scarlet Tanager

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Western 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

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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

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How to tell the Scarlet Tanager from the Western Tanager

Visual differences

The Scarlet Tanager male is characterized by a brilliant red body with contrasting black wings and tail, whereas the Western Tanager male features a yellow body, black back and wings, and a distinct red face. Female Scarlet Tanagers are dull yellow-green with darker wings, while female Western Tanagers show a dull yellow body with a grayish tone and two wing bars. Both species are similar in size (6-7.5 inches), but Western Tanagers have pointed wings and Scarlet Tanagers round wings, contributing to their distinguishing visual differences.

Key differences and behavior

Scarlet Tanagers and Western Tanagers exhibit distinct behavioral and ecological differences. Scarlet Tanagers are canopy dwellers, preferring deciduous forests, whereas Western Tanagers inhabit open coniferous or mixed forests and breed farther north. Scarlet Tanagers are monogamous for a season, with males displaying vibrant red plumage to attract females, and both parents partake in chick-rearing. Conversely, Western Tanagers involve the male in chasing the female for courtship, with nesting in conifers and less documented parental roles. While both species primarily consume insects, Scarlet Tanagers focus on beetles and ants, whereas Western Tanagers include bees and wasps. Both species supplement their diets with berries but vary in habitat preference during migration.