Scarlet Tanager

About the Scarlet Tanager

The Scarlet Tanager is a striking woodland songbird known for the male's brilliant red body contrasted with jet-black wings during breeding season. Often found high in mature deciduous forests, it can be difficult to spot despite its vivid color. Its rich, robin-like song echoes through the canopy in late spring and summer.

Fun Facts

• Dramatic Color Change: Males are bright red and black in breeding season but molt into a greenish-yellow plumage in fall.
• Canopy Dweller: Scarlet Tanagers spend most of their time high in treetops, making them easier to hear than to see.
• Forest Specialist: They prefer large, mature forests during breeding season.
• Long-Distance Migrant: They travel to northwestern South America for the winter.