Scarlet Tanager

Piranga olivacea

The brilliantly colored male Scarlet Tanager gleams in the sunlight but is often difficult to see in thick foliage, especially if the bird is motionless or moving slowly from branch to branch high up in the tree canopy. During late summer or early autumn, some of the males may show a patchwork feather pattern of red and green as they lose their red summer color and grow their winter feathers of olive-green. Their wings and tails remain black throughout the winter.

Look For : Male: bright red with black wings and black tail. Female: olive-green.

Length : 6-7".

Habitat : Forests, parks

Range : Central and eastern U.S.