Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager
 The scarlet tanager is an American passerine. They breed through out the eastern half of the United States and parts of southeastern Canada. During this time they feed primarily on insects which they typically glean from th trunk and branches of trees at the top of the canopy. They will also catch flying insects in the air, like a flycatcher, and occasionally eat some fruit.
Scarlet Tanager
The scarlet tanager gets its name from the bright red color of the male. The females are yellow in color with the same black colored wings that the male has. In the fall males will molt and change from their bright scarlet colored plumage to a yellow color similar to the normal female plumage. The bird above was photographed in mid molt. The tanagers will then migrate south, flying over the Gulf of Mexico to winter in Northern South America. Their they will join mixed feeding flocks of tanagers, flycatchers and other tropical birds.  



16 comments:

Kate said...

Beautiful photos, as usual. You are a master at snapping and showing birds along with good background info. Thank you!!

Bryan said...

I like the first one. nice and crisp. And I miss the warm weather they bring.
Bryan

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

A beautiful coloured bird. Thanks for info.

Mersad said...

The red in the first shot is so vibrant. Really great! Visiting you through ABC Wednesday today.

Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography

BumbleVee said...

Such vibrant colours... I've only seen one Tanager ...ever... and, it was a brilliant yellow ...

Susan said...

What a beauty! I've seen a few migrating birds but not this one, yet. Still looking up though ;) Great shots!

Linette said...

Beautiful captures =0)

Amazing wonders in my life said...

Lovely ones...:)

Ni de Aqui, Ni de Alla said...

Great pictures! Scarlet tanagers are beautiful birds! But I've never seen one before.

Adam Jones said...

What a bird that is.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful both male and female! Also the hummingbirds below. One with a red breast and charcoal also a little green has been coming to our feeder - so shy!

Anonymous said...

beautiful photos of the scarlet tanager

A Colorful World said...

It's such a stunning bird! Great photos, and good info.

Anonymous said...

My first time here, and you sport a picture of my ABsolute favorite bird in the world. Scarlet tanagers, in part because of that deep blush, but also their pure cuteness, are always in my dreams. They compete with finches and always win my attention, ha ha. Thanks for the smile! Amy

Roger Owen Green said...

scarlet, yet it looks orange!

ROG, ABCW

NatureStop said...

Lovely captures! Have a great week ahead!

Shantana