ExploreBirds

Western Tanager

Piranga ludoviciana

The Western Tanager is a colorful bird with bright yellow feathers and a red head. They love to sing and can be found in forests, especially during the summer when they come to find food.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Western Tanager male has a striking fiery-red head, brilliant yellow body, and contrasting black wings with two white wing bars. Females are duller yellow-green with dusky wings and no red. This vivid coloration makes it easily distinct from other tanager species.

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

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Males often look like they dipped their head in a pot of red paint!

Their cheerful, robin-like song can often be heard from the treetops.

They build cup-shaped nests hidden high in coniferous trees for safety!

Young tanagers are often fed juicy caterpillars by their parents!

Special abilities

Ability

Seasonal Voyager

Western Tanager can navigate thousands of kilometers during migration because they use celestial cues and Earth's magnetic field.

Ability

Aerial Hunter

Western Tanager can catch flying insects mid-air because of their quick reflexes and agile flight.

Ability

Color Changer

Western Tanager males get their vibrant red head feathers through a complex metabolic process, not just diet like some birds.

Measurements & details

Length
16-19 cm
Wingspan
28-32 cm
Weight
0.024-0.038 kg
Lifespan
5-10 years
Top Speed
45 km/h
Clutch Size
3-5
Incubation
11 days
Migration Distance
4000 km

Diet & Feeding

These colorful birds enjoy a delicious mix of insects, spiders, and juicy berries!

Age differences: Adults switch from a largely insect diet in summer to more fruits in fall/winter.

Primary Foods

  • Beetles
  • Wasps
  • Ants
  • Spiders
  • Blackberries
  • Huckleberries

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

Yellow Tanager

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Enjoy watching birds from a distance and never try to touch or catch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Western Tanager?

16-19 cm

What is Western Tanager's wingspan?

28-32 cm

How much does Western Tanager weigh?

0.024-0.038 kg

How long does Western Tanager live?

5-10 years

How fast can Western Tanager move?

45 km/h

What does Western Tanager eat?

These colorful birds enjoy a delicious mix of insects, spiders, and juicy berries!

Where is Western Tanager usually found?

Forests

How does Western Tanager hunt?

Foraging

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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