ExploreBirds

Summer Tanager

Piranga rubra

The Summer Tanager is a bright red bird that loves to sing! It can be found in warm places and enjoys eating insects and fruits. Its cheerful song makes it a favorite among bird watchers.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Summer Tanager is a medium-sized songbird, distinct for its males being entirely vibrant red, resembling a 'fire-bird'. Females are dull yellow-green with dusky wings, unlike the black wings of other red tanagers. Its stout, pale bill is also a distinguishing feature.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyCardinalidaeGenusPiranga
Summer Tanager
feathered trait badgesocial trait badgesinging trait badgecolorful trait badge
Summer Tanager

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Male Summer Tanagers get their vibrant red color from chemicals in the insects they eat!

Some tanagers travel thousands of miles, flying from Canada to South America each year!

Summer Tanagers are one of the few birds that regularly eat venomous stinging insects like wasps!

Their nests can be so thin, you might actually see the eggs right through the bottom!

Special abilities

Ability

Aerial Insect Hunter

Summer Tanager can deftly snatch flying insects like bees and wasps right out of the air, helping them catch food on the wing.

Ability

Stinger Scraper

Summer Tanager can rub stinging insects against a branch to remove their venomous stingers, allowing them to eat safely.

Measurements & details

Length
17-19 cm
Wingspan
28-30 cm
Weight
0.028-0.032 kg
Lifespan
4-7 years
Top Speed
40 km/h
Clutch Size
3-4
Incubation
11-12 days
Migration Distance
3500 km

Diet & Feeding

These colorful birds mostly feast on flying insects, especially bees and wasps, but also enjoy some fruits.

Primary Foods

  • bees
  • wasps
  • beetles
  • grasshoppers
  • berries
  • fruits

Foraging Method

  • Pursuit

Ecological connections

eaten by

Cooper's Hawk

Accipiter cooperii

Hunts adult tanagers in woodlands.

eats

Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Captures and consumes these insects as a key food.

eaten by

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Preys on eggs and nestlings in their nests.

shelters

White Oak

Quercus alba

Frequently builds nests in the sturdy branches of these trees.

Traits

Also known as

Red Tanager

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Enjoy watching birds from a distance, and don't try to touch or catch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Summer Tanager?

17-19 cm

What is Summer Tanager's wingspan?

28-30 cm

How much does Summer Tanager weigh?

0.028-0.032 kg

How long does Summer Tanager live?

4-7 years

How fast can Summer Tanager move?

40 km/h

What does Summer Tanager eat?

These colorful birds mostly feast on flying insects, especially bees and wasps, but also enjoy some fruits.

Where is Summer Tanager usually found?

Forests

How does Summer Tanager hunt?

Pursuit

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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