The Western Tanager is one of the most vividly colored birds that breeds in the western US, the male sporting a flaming red head, yellow body, and black back and wings. Despite its brilliant colors, it can be surprisingly difficult to spot in the canopy. Its red head pigment comes not from carotenoids but from a rare pigment called rhodoxanthin obtained from its insect prey.
Best time to see a Western Tanager
The best time to see a Western Tanager is May–July, when about 64% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 23,918 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Western Tanager? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Western Tanager sightings near you
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