The Summer Tanager

The summer tanager is a songbird of medium size that has been placed in the cardinal family. Primarily due to their coloration and songs being similar. These avians prefer to dwell in open wooded areas, with oak trees, forest edges, riparian habitats, gardens, and parks. Due to their widespread distribution of Canada, United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America, and an overall stable population, these birds are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

First the Stats…

Scientific name: Piranga rubra
Weight: Up to 1.19 ounces
Length: Up to 6.7 inches
Wingspan: Up to 11.81 inches
Lifespan: Up to 7.9 years

Now on to the Facts!

1.) Their yellow, orange-yellow, and red colorations are, in part, derived from their diet.

2.) Bees and wasps make up the bulk of their diet, but other insects will do just fine. They also consume berries and fruit. They sometimes catch insects on the wing (in mid flight).

3.) These birds are diurnal (active during the day).

4.) They often stay out of sight, high in the trees.

5.) Summer tanagers have a song that is similar to the American robin. The songs are a repeated, melodic tune that often confuses amateur bird watchers as to whether or not they are indeed a robin.

But wait, there’s more on the summer tanager!

6.) They also produce a sharp sounding “pi-tuk” and/or “pik-i-tuk-i-tuk” call.

7.) A group of tanagers is called a season.

Did you know…?
Their only natural threats are habitat loss and destruction and collision with radio and TV towers during their nocturnal (active at night) migrations.

8.) These birds are serially monogamous (stay with the same partner throughout the breeding season, only to part ways once the chicks are fledged).

9.) Breeding season lasts from April – August.

10.) During the breeding season males tend to be rather aggressive and defensive towards others nearing their territory and/or nest.

But wait, there’s still more on the summer tanager!

11.) The female is responsible for building the nest, and does so out of small twigs and blades of grass.

12.) Females lay up to 4 eggs that hatch in up to 13 days.

Did you know…?
Hawks, bluejays, raccoons, squirrels, and rat snakes all prey on these birds.

13.) Chicks, like most birds, are hatched in an altricial (blind and helpless) state.

14.) The chicks fledge in up to 10 days, but remain dependent upon mom and dad for up to another 4 weeks, before becoming independent.

15.) Summer tanagers become reproductively mature at up to 1 year of age.

Now a Short Summer Tanager Video!

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Some source material acquired from: Wikipedia & IUCN