Bird Guide

Scarlet Tanager vs Western Tanager

Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)

Scarlet Tanager

Piranga olivacea

Small28 gForest

The scarlet tanager, a mid-sized passerine, is marginally the smallest of the four species of Piranga that breed north of the Mexican border. It can weigh from 23.5 to 38 g (0.83 to 1.34 oz), with an average of 25 g (0.88 oz) during breeding and an average of 35 g (1.2 oz) at the beginning of migration. Scarlet tanagers can range in length from 16 to 19 cm (6.3 to 7.5 in) and from 25 to 30 cm (9.8 to 11.8 in) in wingspan. Adults of both sexes have pale, horn-colored, fairly stout, and smooth-textured bills. Adult males are crimson-red with black wings and tail.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Scarlet Tanager
Recorded by steve · Song · Durham, Durham County, North Carolina, United States · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Anthony Mora Aguilar · CC BY 4.0
Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana)

Western Tanager

Piranga ludoviciana

Small28 gForest

Measurements: Length: 6.3–7.5 in (16–19 cm) Weight: 0.8–1.3 oz (24–36 g) Wingspan: 11.5 in (29 cm) Adults have pale, stout pointed bills, yellow underparts, and light wing bars. Adult males have a bright red face and a yellow nape, shoulder, and rump, with black upper back, wings, and tail; in non-breeding plumage, the head has no more than a reddish cast and the body has an olive tinge. Females have a yellow head and are olive on the back, with dark wings and tail. The song of disconnected short phrases suggests an American robin's, but is hoarser and rather monotonous.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Western Tanager
Recorded by Jonathon Jongsma · Song · Four Mile Draw Rd, Custer State Park, South Dakota, United States · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: datadan · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Scarlet Tanager and Western Tanager.