Western Tanager

Piranga ludoviciana

WETA

Order: Passeriformes | Family: Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
Western Tanager 1

Bird Description

Scarce in far W. Rare in E, sometimes at feeders in late fall/winter. Found in pine or open mixed woodland, often feeding on berries in winter. ID: A small compact tanager with a very round head. Ad ♂: striking black and yellow with variably orange head. Duller in fall/winter. Ad ♀ /1st-w: easily confused with SCTA but with broader wing bars and gray back that contrasts with olive rump and head. Wing bars sometimes worn. Also differs from SCTA by paler bill, often paler underparts, yellow on underwing, and different call. Some orioles show similar color patterns!

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