Western Tanager
Piranga ludoviciana
The Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) is a common cardinal found in 13 countries, weighing about 28 g. The western tanager is a medium-sized American songbird.
About the Western Tanager
The western tanager is a medium-sized American songbird. Formerly placed in the tanager family (Thraupidae), it and other members of its genus are classified in the cardinal family (Cardinalidae). The species' plumage and vocalizations are similar to other members of the cardinal family.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
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.
What the Western Tanager sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Chile.
When to see it
Best months: April, May, June, July, August, September, with peak activity in May. It is a summer visitor species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Western Tanager?
- 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. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Western Tanager?
- The Western Tanager is a small sized bird weighing about 28 g.
- Where can you see a Western Tanager?
- The Western Tanager occurs in 13 countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador.
- What does a Western Tanager sound like?
- You can listen to a field recording of the Western Tanager on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Western Tanager?
- The Western Tanager is most easily confused with the Scarlet Tanager, the Summer Tanager and the Hepatic Tanager.
- Is the Western Tanager endangered?
- The Western Tanager is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Western Tanager for real
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